Smoking bans: easier said than enforced

It's one thing to ban smoking. It's another thing to make it stick.

In St. Charles, Ill., the powers that be backed off the no-smoking campaign when neighborhing towns wouldn't go along with the idea.

And in Southern Nevada, enforcing new smoking regulations are being applauded by many, but an idea to increase the penalties for violators is being scrapped.

But the handwritin's on the wall. When Red China starts talkin bout a public smoking ban, you know there's a trend afoot, though that far away land better grits its teeth to deal with 350 million very jittery and irribable people if the ban ever comes to pass.

Puerto Rican smoking ban takes effect

No more smokin in Puerto Rican bars & restaurants with that rum punch in your hand it says here.

The law was approved early last year over the objections of some in the tourism industry. It also prohibits smoking in private cars with children under 13 inside.

Violators face a penalty of US$250 (€190) for a first offense and up to US$2,000 (€1,520) for repeat violations.