Vientiane, Laos  - Lao legislators are preparing to pass the country's first cigarette-control bill, in keeping with anti-smoking campaigns worldwide, media reports said Thursday.

Minister of Public Health Ponmek Dalaloy presented a draft law at the National Assembly Wednesday, sparking a lively debate among parliamentarians, the state-run KPL news agency reported.

The draft lays down rules on the control, management, inspection, import, distribution, advertisement and production of cigarettes.

The minister said that the legislation was necessary to raise awareness of the harmfulness of smoking in order to promote people's health and minimize their spending on cigarettes.

Ousavanh Thiengthebvongsa, a member of the National Assembly for Phongsaly province, said that the law should include stricter measures against smoking and stiffer penalties for those who breached the law. (dpa)