Puerto Rico may butt out

Smokers headed for Puerto Rico, be alerted.

The commonwealth's Senate has passed a measure that would create an island-wide ban on smoking in restaurants, bars, casinos and other public workplaces.

The legislation now goes to the commonwealth's House of Representatives, where it is expected to be approved. The House previously had signed off on a similar version of the Senate bill.

Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila is expected to sign the bill into law as soon as it reaches his desk.

Brits outlaw smoking in public places

If you're a smoker headed for England, enjoy lighting up in a pub, restaurant or any other public place for now. That activity will be banned in a year or less.

Parliament has voted, 384 to 184, for a total ban on smoking in indoor public places, something that will end the tradition of the smoky British pub.

Neighbor Ireland instituted the same ban in March 2004. The same will occur in Scotland and Northern Ireland over the next year, and factions in Wales are debating the issue.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's government had supported a partial ban that still would have allowed smoking in private members' clubs and pubs that do not serve food.