Entering a restaurant in Latin America and lighting up a cigarette isn't anything out of the ordinary. Chatting with friends (or family) over food and a couple of beers while smoking is something that 14.2 % of Costa Ricans enjoy, especially in the country's nightlife.
But that could all change soon, since lawmakers have proposed a bill that would ban smoking in all public spaces, including bus and taxi stops, public buildings, restaurants and bars. As someone who lives in a city that already has a similar law, I think this is an absolutely great idea that will benefit the overall health of the public in this South American country.
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The law doesn't stop there, though. Soon there will be a lot more restrictions, according to GlobalPost.com, who reports:
The legislation goes further: It prohibits the sale of individual cigarettes; adds a 4-cent tax per cigarette, bumping up the price of most 20-cigarette packs from around $2 to $2.80; bans cigarette advertising; and mandates that most of the box must carry graphic or textual health warnings.
As a former social smoker, I think this law is very important. It will stop more people from lighting up and prevent second hand smoke, which has been proven to be just as harmful (if not more) as smoking itself.
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Although the law still faces opposition, it's important to recognize that it is for the betterment of public health. With smoke-free policies succeeding in other countries, it's nice to see more Latin American countries getting healthier as well.
Would you support a smoking ban in your home country or would it make you upset to not have the choice to smoke where you wanted?
Image via Sklathill/flickr
