TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — The last refuge is vanishing for besieged smokersat least in Honduras. A new law that took effect Monday says family members can call in the police on people who smoke at home.
The new measure bans smoking in most closed public or private spaces and orders smokers to stand at least 6 feet away from nonsmokers in any open space. The law explicitly bans smoking in schools, gas stations, restaurants, bars, buses, taxis, stadiums and cultural centers, but it doesn’t clearly ban smoking at home. A clause, however, expressly says relatives or visitors can summon police to deal with smokers at home.
Those who violate the law will first receive a warning. After a second offense, they could be arrested and face a $311 fine, the equivalent of a monthly minimum-wage salary in Honduras.
Some say the law will be almost impossible to enforce in this Central American nation of 8 million people with a rampant crime problem and only 12,000 police officers.
The Associated Press
