Video catches lawmaker vaping during health care reform debate in Colombia
A Colombian lawmaker was caught on camera vaping during a meeting of the country's parliament to discuss healthcare reforms.
Cathy Juvinao, who represents Colombia's capital city of Bogota as a member of the Green Alliance Party in the country's Chamber of Representatives, was seen on camera using a vape pen as she was about the address the legislative body during a Dec. 17 session debating changes to health policy.
In the video, the congresswoman can be seen using the vape pen before realizing that cameras are trained on her, then quickly exhaling and putting the vape pen away.
Congresswoman apologizes
On X, Juvinao apologized, writing on the social media platform X that, "I will not join the bad example that is intoxicating the public discourse these days and which will not be repeated."
Smoking and vaping is prohibited in government buildings in Colombia, including the parliamentary chambers, local media reported. Earlier this year, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro signed into law legislation aimed at curbing and regulating the sale of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices in the country.
Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for Paste BN. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com.