Chilean smoking ban takes effect

Smoking is now forbidden in many places

Strict anti-smoking measures have come into force in Chile, including a ban on selling cigarettes to under-18s.

Advertising will be limited to tobacco sales points, which will have to put up warnings about health risks. Warnings on the packets will also be bigger.

From next year, larger restaurants will have to set up non-smoking areas.

Smaller ones will have to decide whether to designate themselves smoking or non-smoking throughout. Under-18s will not be allowed in smoking areas.

From Monday, smoking is banned on public transport, schools and health centres.

In other places, such as shopping centres and universities, smoking is only allowed in designated areas.

Cigarette vendors face stiff fines if caught breaking the law.

The measures were signed into law in May 2006, after a long debate in congress.

The acting Health Minister, Lidia Amarales, said the law would cut smoking.