You really know that Latvia and the other Baltic States have become members of the world community when they are actually considering bans on public cigarette smoking.

Smoking kills, should be banned in public: Latvian health minister

Fri Mar 17, 11:47 AM ET

Smoking is a major killer in Latvia and must be stubbed out, Health Minister Gundars Berzins said as he proposed a ban on smoking in public places. "I believe we have to introduce a total smoking ban in public places as of next year," Berzins told AFP. "This is an urgent matter: heart disease and lung cancer are widespread in Latvia, and it's mainly because of smoking," he said Friday. "Since 2004, we have specially designated smoking areas in cafes, but I believe this does not protect non-smokers and staff from smoke.

"Everybody knows that smoke harms children and pregnant women, even if they're in a non-smoking area. And I'm also totally against smoking at any sports events," Berzins said. Around 47 percent of men and 18 percent of women in Latvia smoke, according the National Health agency. Recent polls have shown a ban on smoking in public would be supported by some 70 percent of the population.

Berzins' ministry planned to submit amendments to the law governing smoking to the government in one or two months, the health minister said. "Personally, I think smoking should only be allowed in basements," Berzins concluded.