It's now illegal to smoke in vehicle with minor present in B.C. (CBC)

RCMP have handed out B.C.'s first ticket to a driver for lighting up with a child in his car.

Police pulled over the man at a roadblock in Langley on Sunday while he was smoking with a 13-year-old in the car.

The driver was slapped with a ticket for $109, as well as a 24-hour suspension for driving under the influence of alcohol. His name was not released by police, and it is not clear if he was eventually charged for drinking and driving.

The law making it illegal to light up while anyone under 16 years of age is present in the vehicle came into effect at the beginning of April.

Cpl. Holly Marks said it gives police the authority to stop any vehicle when they suspect someone is smoking in the presence of children.

"RCMP in general are vigilantly going to try and enforce this law," said Marks. "It's fantastic legislation that ensures the protection of young children."

So far three other provinces — Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the Yukon — and four states in the U.S. have passed similar laws, while South Africa and Puerto Rico have banned smoking in cars with children nationwide.

For those trying to get around it, police say even drivers with open windows or sunroofs will be fined, and those who fail to pay the fine will not be able to renew their driver's licence or auto insurance.

The dangers of second-hand smoke are more pronounced in the enclosed space of a vehicle where children — who are more susceptible to its harmful effects — have no choice but to breathe it in, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.