The Latvian health ministry has come up with tougher anti-tobacco regulations.

The bill submitted to parliament outlaws tobacco smoking in all public territories, including streets, parks, beaches and other public places. All educational, health, culture and welfare institutions are to set up specially equipped smoking sections. Moreover, smoking is suggested to be banned altogether from stairwells, entryways and landings of residential buildings and from all working places. According to the law currently in effect, smoking in public eateries is to be permitted only in specially equipped sections as from 1 January 2007. The new bill which is to come into effect in 2008 is also banning tobacco smoking from open verandas of all restaurants, bars and cafes. (vt)