Did you know that Quebec is the only province in Canada where it's still legal to smoke in a car with kids present? It's true and it's pathetic.

But a coalition of groups is calling on the government to catch up with the rest of the country and many other nations. How can anyone defend smoking in a car where there are kids?

We've come a long way in many ways, but fail miserably when it comes to this issue.

The Quebec Lung Association, the Association of Pediatricians of Quebec and the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control says exposure to second-hand smoke in a confined space is extremely harmful for anyone, but it is especially damaging for a growing child.

They say children are especially vulnerable to tobacco smoke because they breathe faster than adults, meaning they inhale and absorb more pollutants per kilogram of body weight than adults. They add that continuous or regular exposure of children to second-hand smoke can have serious and irreparable consequences for the rest of their lives. The groups say they're more likely to develop asthma, allergies, bronchitis and pneumonia.

Dr. Pascale Hamel, president of the Association of Pediatricians of Quebec, says "The government must intervene, just as it did for seat belts, car seats and cell phones."

Amen. What is the government waiting for?

Photo credit: naturalhealthyconcepts.com