MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile passes anti-smoking law

Chilean legislators approved a new anti-smoking law on Tuesday in a major step toward cutting the habit in a country where more than 40 percent of the people smoke.

Chile's lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, approved the law after more than a year of debate that pitted a powerful tobacco lobby against health advocates.

The law limits smoking -- but stops short of banning it outright -- in bars, restaurants and other public places. It prohibits the sale of cigarettes within 100 yards (metres) of schools.

"We are very content," said legislator Fulvio Rossi, of the Socialist Party of President Michelle Bachelet. "It was a challenge to pass, though, with a lot of debate, and there were a lot of interests involved, but it is a law that reconciles the rights of smokers and nonsmokers," Rossi said.

Twenty-six percent of Chilean teenage girls and the same proportion of teenage boys smoke, according to a study published last year by the government National Narcotics Control Council.

The study, covering 1994 to 2004, showed that 42.5 percent of Chileans aged 12 to 64 were smokers.

The law was approved nearly unanimously, with only a few legislators abstaining or voting against it.

Under the law, advertising for cigarettes is limited and half the surface of cigarette packs must be printed with warnings about the dangers of smoking.

Tobacco companies, restaurants, bars and other public places have up to 18 months to comply with the new rules.

Legislators started debating the rules last March, when Chile made a commitment to the World Health Organization to bring anti-smoking legislation in line with that of other member countries.

Since March 1erst. Uruguay has become the first country in South America and fifth in the world to ban smoking in enclosed public places.