From: Joe@smokefree.org
Date: Wed, 03/01/06
Uruguay Begins Smokefree Future Today
Parts translated from www.elmundo.es
MONTEVIDEO (Uruguay)-- Beginning today (3/1/06), Uruguay becomes the first
country in Latin America to go smokefree. Clean indoor air will be mandatory in
all workplaces, including restaurants and bars. Uruguay follows the lead of
Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Uganda, Malta, and Bhutan which
have all enacted such legislation.
Uruguay's president, an oncologist by profession, said, "Involuntary exposure to
tobacco smoke causes premature death, as well as serious and chronic diseases.
There is no safe level of exposure. The only way to protect the health of
workers is to eliminate it in the workplace."
Tobacco addiction kills five thousand smokers a year in Uruguay and sickens tens
of thousands. Uruguay spends $180 million per year treating people sick from
tobacco.
There are about one million smokers in Uruguay, 70% of whom don't want to be any
longer, according to data from the Department of Health. The law is also
intended to help them quit.
To send a FREE letter in support of clean indoor air where YOU live, go to
http://www.smokefree.net/alerts.php
Joseph W. Cherner
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
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