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| Brazil state slaps ban on smokers | Brazil state slaps ban on smokers |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| A smoking ban in bars, restaurants and offices across the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo came into effect on Friday. | |
| The ban outlaws smoking everywhere but in the open air and in private homes. | The ban outlaws smoking everywhere but in the open air and in private homes. |
| Sao Paulo governor Jose Serra says most people support the ban and he has pledged that anyone flouting the new law will be fined. | Sao Paulo governor Jose Serra says most people support the ban and he has pledged that anyone flouting the new law will be fined. |
| State officials said that about a dozen restaurants and bars had been fined in the first hours of the ban, AP news agency reported. | |
| Sao Paulo state has an estimated 40 million inhabitants with about 11 million living in Sao Paulo city. | Sao Paulo state has an estimated 40 million inhabitants with about 11 million living in Sao Paulo city. |
| Some bar and restaurant owners have complained that the law is confusing and they say it will be difficult to enforce. | |
| "How can I control someone who comes in and smokes inside?" asked Max Abdo, owner of the Tabaqueria Ranieri in Sao Paulo city. | "How can I control someone who comes in and smokes inside?" asked Max Abdo, owner of the Tabaqueria Ranieri in Sao Paulo city. |
| "I will respect the law, but everything is very confusing," he said. | |
| Mr Abdo's business partner, Cassio Gabus Mendes, said that smoking a Cuban cigar "is a ritual" in their bar. | Mr Abdo's business partner, Cassio Gabus Mendes, said that smoking a Cuban cigar "is a ritual" in their bar. |
| But he added: "Smokers are going to have to adapt." | But he added: "Smokers are going to have to adapt." |
| Correspondents say that previous attempts to ban smoking in Sao Paulo have failed, largely due to public apathy and legal challenges. | Correspondents say that previous attempts to ban smoking in Sao Paulo have failed, largely due to public apathy and legal challenges. |
| This time, however, officials say they have the support of the vast majority of the population. | This time, however, officials say they have the support of the vast majority of the population. |
| In an interview with Brazil's Globo TV, Mr Serra said the ban was to protect non-smokers, seven of whom die in the state every day from passive smoking. | In an interview with Brazil's Globo TV, Mr Serra said the ban was to protect non-smokers, seven of whom die in the state every day from passive smoking. |
| Establishments which allow customers to flout the ban will be fined up to $750 (£450) for the first offence, with the fine doubling the second time. | |
| For a third breach of the new law, the business will be forced to close for 48 hours and for a fourth offence, 30 days. |