Beginning in March 2007, smoking will be banned in all restaurants, bars, and casinos in Puerto Rico, as the Caribbean's toughest antismoking law goes into effect. The law also prohibits smoking in open-air terraces or outdoor bars with one or more employees, and in cars carrying children under age 13.

The strict ban passed despite fears that it might hurt the island's $3-billion tourism industry.

Relatively few Puerto Ricans smoke, but smoking-related illnesses still cost the Commonwealth an estimated $1.1-billion annually.