Romania Bans Tobacco Sales To Minors (fwd)

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

Romania Bans Tobacco Sales To Minors Source: Central Europe Online,
Tuesday, 8/17/99

BUCHAREST, Aug 17, 1999 -- (Agence France Presse) Romania banned Tuesday
the sale of tobacco to under 18s, in an attempt to crack down on child
smoking in this impoverished country.

Tobacconists face fines of between 500,000-5,000,000 lei ($31-$312) for
breaking the new law, which obliges them to publicize the ban in their
premises, officials said.

"We have many children sick with tuberculosis who continue to smoke
despite our advice, even in hospital," said Bucharest hospital chief
Mihaela Petrea.

Some 20 percent of 10 to 14-year-olds in Romania are smokers, while 50
percent of street children smoke from the age of five, according to World
Health Organization (WHO) data which show that seven Romanians die of lung
cancer daily. ((c) 1999 Agence France Presse)