Chile: Smoking to be Banned from TV Programs

Source from:  I Love Chile (cl)  12/21/2012

TV show protagonists will have to find an other way to look cool and relaxed, since smoking is about to be banned from all small screen programming.

The Chilean Senate has approved, after a long debate, the bill modifying Law 19.419, which regulates the places where smoking is allowed.

A total of 20 votes in favor permitted yet another step towards the eradication of cigarette smoking, while six senators voted against the bill and two

abstained. If it is passed by the Chamber of Deputies, TV channels will be forbidden to broadcast programs featuring smokers during the hours when

children may be watching.

The Senate also approved, by 19 votes in favor, a rule prohibiting smoking in galleries, stands, sports fields, gymnasiums and stadiums. They also passed,

by 14 votes in favor, an obligation for tobacco companies to annually inform the Ministry of Health about donations they have made.

The project has divided politicians from left to right. According to PPD Senator Guido Girardi, this law would save children from starting smoking by

emulating TV personalities. DC senator Ruiz-Esquide believes she is defending non-smoker rights against passive smoke inhalation.

On the other hand, a number of senators, such as DC senator Jorge Pizarro and socialist Juan Pablo Letelier, accuse the bill of censorship.

First and foremost, the bill is not very clear and doesn't specifically define the places where smoking will be forbidden. It also doesn't explain how the bill

will be enforced in practice. The main risk is to see the law "becoming obsolete the day after being promulgated", as RN senator Alberto Espina said. Enditem