The social networks were abuzz Friday over a photo of Costa Rica’s new director of the Dirección de la Inteligencia y Seguridad (DIS), Mariano Figueres, smoking on the premises of Casa Presidencial.
The Ley General de Control del Tabaco (anti smoking law) declares all government buildings 100% smoking free.
In the photo it is difficult to tell if Figueres is smoking a regular cigarette, a e-cig (electronic cigarette) or an habano (cigar). Also it is unknown when the photo was taken and by whom.
The fine for smoking in a public building is 10% of a “salario basico” and 50% for anyone working as an administrator, director, curator, trustee, guardian or other individuals with powers of decision in any private company or public institution.
Figueres’ appointment to the directorship of the DIS by President Luis Guillermo Solís the same day of his inauguration on May 8, was a surprise to most.
Source: CRHoy.com
Absurd! This guy is tough, he can drink with the best and smokes which is an addiction. Perhaps, but for other reasons, Mariano is a poor choice to run DIS. But how can a guy get caught smoking be in the news? What a waste of effort for reporters and the media to publish something so innocuous.
This is news because violating the smoking ban is indicative of the smug attitude often attributed to public figures, the attitude that they are above the law. For a new director of any department of the government to display such an attitude suggests that Costa Rica is not headed in the direction of the type of change promised by the new president. The offense is even worse in light of the fact that Figueres is director of an agency that investigates criminal activity. Incidentally, it wouldn’t matter if that is a regular cigarette, an electronic cigarette, or a cigar – all are covered by the smoking law. Figueres should make an apology to the people of Costa Rica and pay the fine appropriate for his position.