IN FRATERNAM MEAM: BUTTING OUT ON A GLOBAL SCALE

IN FRATERNAM MEAM

Thursday, February 17, 2005

BUTTING OUT ON A GLOBAL SCALE

JET SETTERS HEADING TO CUBA
next week for the annual Havana Cigar Festival
need not panic, although the home of the Cohiba
banned smoking in enclosed public places on Feb 7,
festival venues will be excempt. Despite a lax
kickoff in Cuba, similar bans in other countries
have managed to clear the air:

Italy
On Jan. 10, smoking was banned in enclosed public
places except in separately ventilated rooms. A week
later, a police sweep of 1,263 bars and restaurants
turned up only nine violators.

Says a Roman: "I am for the ban because it helps me
smoke less." As proof, cigarette sales nationwide
are down 23percent.

Bhutan
This Himalayan nation became the first to prohibit not
only smoking in public, but also all sales of tobacco.
In a kingdom with few smokers (owing in part to a local
belief that traces the tobacco plant's origin to a she-devil),
the black market price of a pack of Marlboro has doubled,
to $2.60, since the ban took effect in December.

Ireland
The Emerald Isle last March became the first country to
ban smoking in virtually all workplaces, including pubs.
The Office of Tobacco Control,in a six month update, reported
94% compliance. A hotline for snitchers still gets up to
50 calls a week.

India
Enforcement has been slack since smoking was banned in
public places last May along with most tobacco ads. When
asked how many fines have been issued, a spokelsman for
the New Delhi police snaps, "Speak to the government directly.
They pass these laws.We assume they have officers to enforce
these laws as well".

(abstracted from TIMEMAG/by: Julie Rawe)

posted by infraternam meam @ 4:56 AM

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