Smoking in Latin America

Tobacco is a native plant of the Americas, but Latin America is gradually going smoke-free. Chile is the 14th Latin American country – out of 20 – to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces. Over 40 percent of Chileans smoke, reports the World Health Organization. Treatment for tobacco victims represents a quarter of the $10 billion public healthcare budget, reports Chile’s health minister. Tobacco companies are resisting government efforts to combat addiction throughout Latin America with legislative anti-smoking measures. Philip Morris International, a US tobacco company, has filed a claim against Uruguay at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, an autonomous group formed under a treaty by directors of the World Bank. Brazil, the world’s third largest producer of tobacco leaf, faces pressure from planters to protect jobs, while the anti-smoking lobby wants to see pricing and taxing of cigarettes coordinated across Latin America. Tobacco companies argue that governments could discourage smoking with other steps, such as curbs on advertising, health warnings and subsidies for nicotine-replacement therapy. – YaleGlobal