Tougher anti.smoking laws under discussion

Panama is looking to extend the ban on smoking in public places.

A new law being considered by the General Assembly proposes to eliminate smoking in many places, including terraces, hallways, internal courtyards and balconies.
Legislator Alcibiades Vasquez, who is behind the proposal, explained that measure would apply in places such as discotheques, restaurants or hotels, and not in private residences.
Vasquez said that smoking is one of the main causes of lung diseases, and that the government should take measures to discourage it.
Two years have passed since the government banned indoor smoking in public places, as well as placing restrictions on tobacco advertising.
A snitch line was introduced for citizens to report establishments that failed to conform to the new laws.
Currently programs are in place asking parents not expose their children to tobacco smoke.