Santiago – Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday signed a law toughening this country’s regulations on advertising, selling and consuming tobacco.
“Why is this law important? Because we know very well that tobacco is harmful to health and we know very well that there are not going to be enough doctors’ offices or hospitals to attend to the (health) problems if we’re not able to avoid them before they occur,” the president said.
During the signing ceremony, which took place in a school in the capital neighborhood of Macul, Bachelet emphasized that the aim of the legislation is to harmonize Chile’s internal regulations with the World Health Organization’s framework agreement on tobacco control.
In addition, she said, the goals of the bill include seeking to protect minors and non-smokers through promoting smoke-free areas, giving smokers better access to information about the affects of tobacco consumption and helping them stop smoking.
The new law prohibits smoking in schools, public buildings, hospitals, universities, movie theaters, supermarkets and workplaces with more than 10 employees, unless they have specially designated smoking areas which are closed off from the rest of the facility and have their own ventilation.
In addition, the law eliminates tobacco advertising beginning 18 months after its entry into force and establishes that at least half the surface area of each cigarette pack must carry warnings about the dangers of smoking.
The law also prohibits the sale of tobacco products to people under 18 years old, and sets forth that bars and restaurants less than 100 square meters (1,075 square feet) in size must declare themselves to be either “smoke-free” or “smoking allowed” establishments.
Larger bars and restaurants must set aside completely isolated smoking sections.
The new regulation will enter into force 90 days after its publication in the Official Daily, but the establishment of special smoking areas at leisure venues will begin one year later. EFE
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