Now there is a new smoking ban in cars with kids in them in England and Wales.

Heavy fines will be slapped on people caught transgressing and the measure makes sense as it will protect children from second-hand smoke.

While the ban has already gone into effect, the authorities will be careful about giving people time to make the transition. The National Police Chiefs' Council revealed that they would take it slightly easier on transgressors in the first three months by focussing on a more "educational, advisory and non-confrontational approach." The statement added: "This would see people being given warnings rather than being issued with fines."

There are also a few exceptions to the law. It will not apply to people smoking in covertibles with the roof down. According to a BBC report, the Scottish Parliament might also placing a similar ban next year. Even the government in the Netherlands might consider it after seeing how it works in other countries.

Mashable interviewed got Penny Woods, chief of the British Lung Foundation, to weigh in on the new law.

"Today is truly a cause for celebration for all those who care about protecting the health of generations to come," she said.

There are also people who oppose the ban, like Simon Clark, the director of the smokers' lobby group Forest, who spoke to BBC. "If drivers are spotted smoking will they be stopped in case there's a child in the back? The authorities, especially the police, must have better things to do," he said.

The general ban in on smoking in England -- which prohibited smoking in offices and enclosed public spaces -- was implemented on July 1, 2007 as a result of the Health Act of 2006.

Tags: Smoking Ban England