476

The Government of Puerto Rico declares that its public policy is to protect and guarantee the physical, mental and emotional health of its children and young people in order to foster healthier lifestyles which promote their welfare. It is imperative to implement and develop all those measures addressed to safeguard the compelling interest of the Government to protect the health, safety and general welfare of its citizens, and particularly that of its minor children.In the exercise of its power to establish regulations in favor of the public interest and its inherent power as parens patriae to ensure the safety and welfare of all minors, the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico hereby adopts the express prohibition to employ, contract or use minors under eighteen (18) years of age in work or activities that promote the sale and use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco-related products. History —Aug. 17, 1998, No. 204, § 1.