Free Viagra, but tobacco banned
2000-12-22 12:05
Rio de Janeiro - A small town mayor who last made news by offering free Viagra has struck again - this time by banning tobacco sales effective on Thursday, media reports said.
Elcio Berti, 38, mayor of Bocaiuva do Sul in Parana province, said the town's cemeteries were brimming over with too many corpses, citing a study that tobacco consumption contributed to a majority of deaths this year.
"I don't want to forbid anyone from smoking," Berti was quoted as saying. "Those who court premature death should go ahead and die. But Bocaiuva refuses to be an accomplice to suicide."
Two years ago, Berti tried to boost his town's small population - 10 000 - with a baby boom, in order to increase the town's subsidy payments from the national government. He offered to distribute the male potency medicine Viagra for free - until medical experts convinced him of its dangers.
The ban on tobacco sales could violate Brazil's constitution, according to a law professor in the nearby regional town Parana. Clemerson Merlin Cleve called Berti's plan a "publicity stunt".
Berti's move drew support from one of the town's chain smokers, who said: "Our mayor is perhaps a little crazy, but he only wants the best."
His political rival, City Council President Antonio Barros, quipped: "The man simply has too much time on his hands."
Brazil recently banned tobacco advertising in all its media, stadiums and streets, but tobacco sales were not affected by the law. - Sapa-DPA
- SAPA