No Smoking In Public
Places!
Legislators last night
approved in first
reading the Convenio
Marco de la Organización
Mundial de la Salud
(OMS) that controls the
production,
distribution, promotion
and sale of tobacco
products. The approval
was unanimous.
Once the World Health
Organization (WHO)
convention receives
second reading approval,
it will be sent to the
Sala Constitucional and
the Ministerio de
Relaciones Exteriores
(Foreign Ministry)
notifies the WHO, it
will go into effect 90
days following.
The ministra de Salud
Pública (Health
ministry), María Luisa
Ávila, once the final
approval is obtained,
Costa Rica will become
part of 117 countries
around the world to
eradicate smoking.
Avila pointed out that
one of the most
important aspects of the
Convenio is stop smoking
in public places like
restaurants, bars,
discos or any other
enclosed public area.
The Convenio allows the
government to establish
fines for businesses who
allow smoking on their
premises, as well as
fine smokers who light
up in public areas.
"In the United States
and other countries its
has been proven that
businesses have not lost
sales after banning
smoking, to the
contrary, they have
reported an increase in
sales", commented
minister Avila.
In addition to banning
smoking in public
spaces, the Convenio
places more restrictions
on manufacturers of
tobacco products,
required manufacturers
to include the health
hazards of smoking and
damage to the
environment in every
cigarette pack produced.
A bold message on the
effects of smoking must
be noted on the exterior
of the package and a
leaflet with a full
explanation on the
inside.
Other important points
of the Convenio is the
prohibition of promoting
tobacco products and
smoking in the media.
Minister Avila concluded
her remarks by saying
that smoking causes 25
types of cancers,
impotence, abortion,
damages the environment
and the Convenio allows
her ministry to take
action so that smokers
understand all the ills
of smoking.
|
