The Yukon became the last Canadian jurisdiction to pass a smoking ban Thursday, but the territorial government is still working out how it will enforce its new law.

The Smoke-Free Places Act was proclaimed law Thursday afternoon, on the last day of the legislature's spring session. MLAs passed the legislation in a 16-1 vote on April 22.

The legislation bans smoking in public places, including bars and patios, as well as in vehicles carrying minors.

Even before the legislation took effect, government officials gave Yukoners notice of the ban through advertisements in local newspapers in recent weeks.

Regulations and enforcement plans related to the new law should be in place by the end of this year, said Dr. Paula Pasquali, director of community health programs with the health department.

"It's true that the regulations are not in place right now, but we are developing a number of communication tools to make sure that people understand what the act means and what they can do now," Pasquali told CBC News on Thursday.

Pasquali, who is heading up the territory-wide education campaign on the new law, said she is advising bar owners to comply with the new law voluntarily.

"Ask them to butt out, invite them to go outside to smoke, remind them that it's now an offence to light up," she said. "Owners or managers have every right to withdraw service until the person stops smoking."

NDP Leader Todd Hardy, who authored the Smoke-Free Places Act, said he is disappointed to hear regulations and enforcement plans won't be ready until the end of this year.

At the same, he said he is confident that Yukon smokers will come to accept the law.

"We only have to look at what happened in Whitehorse," Hardy said, referring to the capital city which has an existing anti-smoking bylaw.

"People expect to be able to go into a building now and not be subject to tobacco smoke ..." he added. "If you walked into a building and somebody was smoking in there, you'd be shocked."

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW