Chilean legislators approved a new anti-smoking law on 14 March 2006 in a major step toward cutting the habit in a country where more than 40 per cent of the people smoke.

Uruguay has passed anti-smoking legislation, which came into effect at midnight on 1 March 2006. The regulations are similar to the amendments Quebec made to its smoking laws and mirror those already implemented in Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Italy and Spain. They will prohibit smoking in all enclosed public places, including bars, restaurants, government and private office buildings and shopping malls. (pi)