Venezuelan health minister Erick Rodríguez denied reports of a pending ban on tobacco production, saying local media had taken his words out of context.

Rodríguez backed away from his comments to Union Radio in which he said "not even producing tobacco nor cigarettes" would be allowed under new regulations the government was contemplating.
The government will impose a limited smoking ban in bars and restaurants but has no plans to halt the production of cigarettes and tobacco, the health minister said. As of 31 May, lighting up in bars and restaurants will be permitted only in limited spaces equipped with ventilators under the smoking ban, which was first announced earlier this month.
About half of Venezuela's 26 million people are smokers, according to an industry survey.