Tobacco.org

• Portugal bans smoking inside public places 

Portugal's parliament approved a law on Thursday banning smoking in almost all indoor public places, joining other European countries in an attempt to cut down on tobacco-related deaths. The ban, approved more than a year after it was proposed by the Socialist government, will carry hefty fines for individuals who smoke in offices, shopping centres and most restaurants.

About a quarter of Portuguese smoke and smoking is blamed on up to 12,000 deaths per year, according to polling group Marktest.

"The ban should decrease the number of deaths caused by smoking and will also reduce second hand smoking," said Luis Negrao, a doctor at Portugal's Cardiology Association.

Jump to full article »