Quebec cracks down on e-cigarettes, bans patio smoking

The Quebec government has passed a billrestricting the use of electronic cigarettes and banning smoking on restaurant and barpatios.

Under the new law, e-cigarette smoking will beprohibited in the same locations as cigarettes.

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Businessessuch as restaurants and barsthat repeatedly allow customers to smoke on theirterrassescould face fines of $100,000.

The law passed unanimously in the province's National Assembly on Thursday.

The bill was first introduced last May.

The version that passed Thursday included several modifications, including greater restrictions on smoking in public spaces and sports fields used by children.

There are also more limits on advertising tobacco products and a ban on flavoured tobacco.

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Quebec a 'world leader': minister

LucieCharlebois, Quebec's junior minister for public health, said the changes will make Quebec a healthier place.

"The bill adopted today contains ambitious measures allowing Quebec to take its place as a world leader in the fight against smoking," she said in a statement.

Flory Doucas, co-director of the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control, called the new law"tremendous."

She said the additional regulationswill protect Quebecers from second-hand smoke.