WINDSOR, Ont. –According to media reports, an Ontario truck driver was fined $305 for smoking a cigarette in his truck.

The Canadian Press has reported the truck driver was fined because the cab of his truck was considered a “workplace.” He was reportedly pulled over on Hwy. 401 near Windsor and ticketed after a police officer spotted him smoking.

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act doesn’t allow people to smoke in public areas or enclosed workplaces.

The driver may be able to successfully challenge the ticket, however, if he works for a federally-regulated carrier.

When the Smoke-Free Ontario Act was passed in 2006, the Ontario Trucking Association fought for and received assurance that only provincially-regulated carriers would have to abide by the law.

“Our concern was over provincial incursion into an area of federal law and what precedent that might set in other statutes in the future,” OTA president, David Bradley said at the time. “We are very pleased that we were able to work with the government on this issue and come to an understanding on how the law affects a major segment of the industry.”

Federally-regulated carriers would still have to abide by the Non-Smoker’s Health Act. Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, a trucking company could be fined as much as $10,000 for allowing smoking in its vehicles. To weigh in on the debate on whether or not truckers should be allowed to smoke in their rigs, check out the Trucknews.com blog and post a comment.