Puerto Rico goes non-smoking

[KarenS]

Add Puerto Rico to the growing number of tourist spots with smoking bans. But darned if I can find out exactly how the new government regulation will be put into play by hotels.

A spokesman for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company tells me that starting Thursday, puffing will not be allowed in public places -- including restaurants, bars, hotel public areas, even casinos. Daniel Hernandez says hotel pools are considered public areas but that the new law allows hotels to set aside some guestrooms for smokers.

For the full article go <a href="http://blogs.usatoday.com/hotelhotsheet/2007/02/puerto_rico_smo.html">here.</a>

[KarenS]

The new law prohibits smoking at all food establishments (restaurants, cafeterias, coffee shops and fast food outlets); cultural centers (museums and theaters); casinos; bars, pubs, and nightclubs; convention centers; shopping centers; public and government buildings, and schools.

Hotel rooms designated as smoke-friendly are exempt from the smoking ban.

However, hotels are required to post the new regulations in every guest room and to implement proper ventilation and maintenance procedures in rooms where smoking is permitted.

For the full article go <a href="http://www.travelweekly.com/articles.aspx?articleid=55279">here.</a>