Smoking restrictions to become a ban

A ban on tobacco smoking in enclosed public places in Chile will be expanded following the passage of a bill in the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday night, according to a story by Laina Roberts for the Santiago Times.

The new law will now go to the president, Sebastian Pinera, for signature.

It will extend the country’s previous enclosed-public-places tobacco-smoking restrictions to take in nightclubs, bars, casinos, and stadiums.

And it will require tobacco companies to file reports on expenses incurred and donations made under agreements with public institutions, sports organizations, academic entities, cultural organizations and non-governmental organizations.

The government is using a four-pronged anti-tobacco strategy that comprises creating smoke-free enclosed public spaces, updating a national education plan every five years, prohibiting smoking on live television before 22.00 hours, and restricting implicit or explicit tobacco advertising.