The Chamber of Deputies yesterday approved in first reading a bill that would prohibit smoking in public places, prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors, and require cigarette packs to carry health warnings. The bill now goes to the Health Committee for study before returning to the floor for amendments and a final vote. Sponsored by National District (DN) Deputies Ernesto Fabr? and Manuel Hazoury, the bill would prohibit smoking in public places, as defined by the bill. These would include government offices, airports, restaurants, commercial plazas, cinemas (most already prohibit smoking), discotecs, night clubs, supermarkets, and public passenger vehicles (buses, public cabs, etc.). The bill would ban the sale of tobacco products, no matter what type, to minors. It would also require packs to carry visible warnings that smoking is harmful to human health. The Public Health Ministry (SESPAS) and local fire departments would be responsible for enforcing the bill’s provisions, and can assess fines of no less than RD$500 and no more than RD$1,000. A healthy majority of Deputies present voted for the measure, and a dozen rose to speak in its favor. One Deputy, Dr. Rafael Kasse Acta (PLD-DN), said that he did not vote for the measure because its provisions are already included in Article 261 of the draft General Health Law pending before Congress. Another, Tony Rutinel Dom?nguez (PRD-DN), called the measure nonsensical if it is intended to stop people from smoking. "If it hurts health so much, then we should prohibit tobacco."
