An anti-smoking movement that started in a tiny Nova Scotia town appears to be spreading across the country.

Last month, Wolfville became the first jurisdiction to ban smoking in cars when kids are riding along.

The province then followed the town's lead. Starting next month, it will be illegal for smokers in Nova Scotia to light up in a car when anyone under 18 is on board.

Now, New Brunswick has similar plans. Michael Murphy, the province's health minister, told CTV Halifax that he's concerned that the tobacco industry is targeting kids. He also said that New Brunswick residents may want to consider the possibility of a smoking ban in cars with kids.

British Columbia and the Yukon are considering similar legislation. Ontario politicians have also started to debate vehicle smoking bans.

Studies show that the concentration of toxins in a smoke-filled car is 23 times greater than a smoky bar. Yet, one in five children are exposed to smoke in a car on a regular basis.

Such smoking bans couldn't come soon enough for the Canadian Cancer Society. It has long lobbied for laws to control second-hand smoke in the presence of kids.

"(Children have) higher respiratory (disease) rates, so, yes, they're more vulnerable to second-hand smoke, particularly in a small enclosed area," Rosemary Boyle of the New Brunswick Canadian Cancer Society told CTV Halifax.

"You have to remember that second-hand smoke actually contains 4,000 chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic."

While some residents in Nova Scotia have complained that banning smoking in cars with kids violates personal freedom, the Cancer Society says most people don't mind laws curbing the practice.

Some New Brunswick residents say they're for any law that helps protects children's health.

"If I had kids in the car, I wouldn't smoke," said one resident.

"It's not a big deal to wait until you get out."

With a report from CTV Halifax