Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

American Samoan smoking ban vetoed

Posted at 04:16 on 11 November, 2008 UTC

Legislation approved in the last Fono session in American Samoa to prohibit smoking in certain private and public places has been vetoed by the governor.

Togiola Tulafono says what concerns him most about the bill is the possibility a person could be jailed for up to six months for violating it.

The anti-smoking bill states that anyone who smoked in a public place is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed 200 US dollars.

But it also says if the person charged fails to show up at court they are liable for up to six months jail.