Colombian Congressmen say the country’s tobacco industry is offering bribes to lawmakers to stop the passing of an anti-tobacco law.
According to senator Jesus Bernal Amorocho, representatives of the ‘tabacaleras’ offered him money to “vote with us or do not assist in the voting.” Bernal’s claim is supported by other senators who say they too were approached to sink the tobacco restrictions.
The law is to restrict tobacco advertising and prohibit the sales of cigarettes by street vendors who sell cigarettes by piece.
The initiator of a (now approved) smoking ban in public places denounced in November he was receiving bribes and death threats over the bill he proposed.