HALIFAX, Nova Scotia - A move by a small Nova Scotia town to ban smoking in vehicles carrying children is being applauded by the Canadian Cancer Society, which dismissed criticism that the law is too intrusive by citing the evolution of anti-smoking laws across the country.

The town council of Wolfville, about an hour's drive north of Halifax, made history Monday evening as all seven councilors voted in favor of the bylaw — the first of its kind in Canada.

South of the border, at least 20 states and a number of municipalities have considered limiting smoking in cars where minors are present. At least two states — Arkansas and Louisiana — already have restrictions on smoking when children are in a vehicle.

In Maine, Bangor outlaws smoking in cars with child passengers, and a bill to impose such a restriction statewide will be considered in 2008.

Meg McCallum, a spokeswoman for the Canadian Cancer Society, said Wolfville's law is part of a societal shift that began years ago when similar bans were placed on airplanes followed by workplaces, restaurants and bars across much of Canada.

"It's all about what's best for children and youth," she said from Halifax. "This is part of evolving to a culture where being tobacco-free is the norm."

The law, expected to come into effect June 1, 2008, would prohibit exposing children under 18 to second hand smoke in a vehicle. Nova Scotia already has a ban on smoking in public places — Wolfville led the way on that front, too.