- Title: CHILE: Chile's law to curb smoking takes effect amid controversy
- Date: 1st March 2013
- Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (MARCH 1, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHILEAN PRESIDENT SEBASTIAN PINERA, FIRST LADY CECILIA MOREL AND HEALTH MINISTER JAIME MANALICH TAKING PART IN EVENT AS NEW LAW TOBACCO LAW TAKES EFFECT DOCUMENTARY ABOUT EFFECTS OF TOBACCO ON GIANT SCREEN VARIOUS OF YOUNG PEOPLE SYMBOLICALLY THROWING AWAY GIANT CIGARETTES (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CHILEAN PRESIDENT SEBASTIAN PINERA, SAYING: "As a country, we are making a choice. A choice between tar, arsenic, ammonia, carbon monoxide or new air for Chile. In the end, it's about a choice which has been controversial and I think it's a decision we should have taken before but it's better later than never."
- Embargoed: 16th March 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Chile
- Country: Chile
- Topics: Business,Health,Economy
- Reuters ID: LVAHERCCKLEKER9MPAS5ZO7AVET
- Story Text: Chile imposes strict laws on tobacco companies in new anti-smoking drive but meets with opposition from business unions, who claim the economy will suffer.
A new law in Chile, supported by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, will ban smoking in most public places and restrict cigarette sales but the measure has been met with resistance from business unions who claim the economy will suffer.
As of March 1, the law will ban smoking in closed public places such as bars, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, casinos as well as schools, airports and supermarkets.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised Chile's new law and was featured in a documentary shown at an event attended by Pinera to sign the new law into effect.
Pinera, who wishes to promote healthy lifestyles, said he should have signed the law sooner.
"As a country, we are making a choice. A choice between tar, arsenic, ammonia, carbon monoxide or new air for Chile. In the end, it's about a choice which has been controversial and I think it's a decision we should have taken before but it's better later than never," Pinera said.
Pinera said that smoking is one of the biggest preventable health problems in the country, costing the state an annual USD 2.5 billion to treat associated diseases.
Student Miguel Ramos said that smoking has to be a free choice for individuals.
"People are free and can smoke if they want or not smoke if they don't want. It's up to each individual," he said.
Sixty-nine-year-old retiree Gavino Bustamante said he agreed with the decision.
"I used to smoke but stopped doing so (six months ago) and I agree with the law. It's good for children and senior citizens," he said.
The law faced opposition from business unions who said the restrictions would cost restaurants and bars millions of Chilean pesos in sales per day.
Smoker Luis Gonzalez said the law is unfair.
"It's perfect in segregated places. Whoever wanted to smoke, has a place. But relegating us outdoors everywhere is a little unfair."
Establishments caught allowing smokers to smoke will be fined and Carlos Letelier, owner of the Love bar, said bar and restaurant owners will be affected the most.
"I hope people get used to this and our sales don't drop because the truth is this new law affects us bar owners more than other people," he said.
The law also requires tobacco companies to report annually to the Ministry of Health on donations and other expenses related to agreements with public institutions, sports organizations, academic institutions and other organizations.
Advocates say this will uncover the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts to foil measures to reduce tobacco use.
Pinera said the law has three objectives which are to protect non-smokers and children, to avoid advertising at times when children watch television and to inform smokers about the harm their are causing to their bodies. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None