Namedropper
PRAGUE — A smoking ban in Czech bars, restaurants and cafes came into effect Wednesday, putting to an end the Czech Republic’s status as one of the last havens for tobacco smokers in Europe.
The ban, which applies to inside areas of bars and restaurants as well as public places like cinemas, theaters and sports venues, was approved by Parliament following years of heated debate and signed by President Milos Zeman, a chain smoker.
Unlike most of Europe, Czechs had remained tolerant of smoking up till now — and it was up to restaurant owners to decide whether to allow it in their establishments.
According to data from the European Union, 17 member states have comprehensive smoke-free laws in place. But some, including Austria, Portugal, Romania and non-EU member Serbia, only have partial bans on indoor smoking in restaurants and bars.
Others, like Greece — which has official bans but the rules are widely flouted, even by government ministers — have problems with enforcement.
After the Czech move, Slovakia appeared to be the only EU country left with no official ban in place inside bars.
The Czech Health Ministry said it estimated 18,000 Czechs die from smokingrelated illnesses every year and another two thousand non-smokers die due to exposure to second-hand smoke.
From Wednesday, which is World No Tobacco Day, violating the ban would incur a fine of up to 5,000 koruna ($190).
Most Czechs approve the ban, but a group of lawmakers have challenged it at the Constitutional Court.
Art students win patriotic art contest
The VFW Post 8242 and its Auxiliary invited all high school students to enter the 2017 Young American Creative Patriotic art contest. Three Kofa High School students earned awards for their submissions. All participants received certificates to accompany their award.
• Luis Castro received first place honors. He was awarded $100 from the post and $100 from the Auxiliary. His work has been sent on to compete at district and state.
• Stephanie Franco came in second place. She received $75 from the post and $75 from the Auxiliary.
• Yulissa Aldana came in third place. She received $50 from the post and $50 from the Auxiliary.
Other students participating in the contest included Emilio Serna, Carmen Arvizu, Sabrina Nunez, Samantha Morales, Nataly Prieto, Christian Negrete, Kevin Mora, Angel Rojas and Jacqueline Ceja.
American Legion Post 19 awarded $1,000 scholarships to (from left in photo above) Marissa J. Wallis, Anthony S. Marquez and Lauren C. Allmon. In the back (far left) Larry Lord, commander; and (far right) Bob Carey, scholarship chairman.
Emily Carlisi
Emily Carlisi, a first grade teacher at Southwestern Christian School, has been named to the Renaissance National Honor Roll for outstanding performance in advancing students’ achievement in reading.
Renaissance, the leader in K-12 learning analytics, recognizes educators around the nation who have implemented reading or math practice programs successfully and have had their students meet or exceed data targets that research has shown leads to significant student growth.