British Columbians caught smoking in a vehicle with children under 16 present will face a $109 fine under new provincial regulations effective April 7.

The new regulations aim to protect children from second-hand smoke, Healthy Living Minister Mary Polak said Wednesday.

"Any level of second-hand smoke has harmful effects on a child's health, so it's important that we protect vulnerable children who are confined in a vehicle," Polak said.

Police will have the authority to stop any vehicle when they suspect someone is smoking in the presence of children.

People who fail to pay the fine will not be able to renew their driver's licence or auto insurance.

The regulations follow legislation that was passed in the spring of 2008 under the Motor Vehicle Act.

"The dangers of second-hand smoke are more pronounced in the enclosed space of a vehicle, and children — who are more susceptible to its harmful effects — have no choice but to breathe it in," said Barbara Kaminsky, chief executive of the Canadian Cancer Society's B.C. and Yukon division.

B.C. joins Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Yukon in banning smoking in cars when children are present.