by Michael Hone
Would Allow Smoking in Bars and Restaurants in Some Cases
BRASILIA, Brazil – The Ministry of Health is participating in negotiations that would end the total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants nationwide. The proposed amendment to the Provisional Measure 540 (MP) under consideration envisions the creation of establishments used exclusively for smokers, reports O Estado de S. Paulo.
The establishments would have to meet two conditions to qualify under the proposal: a ban on guests under 18 and signage stating that smoking is permitted. Congress expects to vote next week on the proposed amendment to the MP, which is raising the tax on cigarettes.
The measure is to compensate the tobacco industry for the tax increases, which will go into effect next year. All proposed amendments under discussion would replace the current versions as well as milder versions in the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANAVISA) and Congress. If approved, the legislation would not be in compliance with a recommendation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Use, an international agreement to curb smoking in the world of which Brazil is a signatory.
The text circulating which justifies the changes say that they would mandate that the government “respect free enterprise and freedom of choice.”
Read also: More Articles from Brazil Dispatch
Brazilian online news source for this article: Estado de Sao Paulo
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