Brazil receives international award for tobacco control initiatives.
Brazilian tobacco control initiatives have received international recognition from the Bloomberg Foundation, a partner of the World Health Organization, which cited Brazil as a model for other nations to follow in this sector.
Paula Laboissière – Reporter at Agência Brasil
Brazilian tobacco control initiatives have received international recognition from the Bloomberg Foundation, a partner of the World Health Organization, which cited Brazil as a model for other nations to follow in this sector.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health assessed that the award represents recognition of the role played by the country in the epidemiological monitoring of tobacco use and in the implementation of public policies to combat smoking.
Data from the ministry indicates that the number of smokers in the country continues to decline. Data from the National Health Survey shows that the rate of people who smoke and use tobacco products is 20,5% lower than that recorded five years ago. In 2013, of the total adults interviewed, 14,7% said they smoked. In 2008, the rate was 18,5%.
According to the government, more than 23 family health teams are currently working in 4.375 municipalities to treat smoking addiction. In the last two years, the ministry has allocated R$ 41 million to actions to combat tobacco use.
The Ministry of Health also highlighted the development of regulations that contribute to the reduction of smoking, such as Law 12.546, enacted in 2011, which alters the taxation system of the Tax on Industrialized Products (IPI) and establishes a minimum price policy for cigarettes. The minimum price of the product increased from R$ 1 to R$ 3 and should reach R$ 4,50 this year.
Another action cited by the ministry concerns the ban on smoking in enclosed spaces since December 2014, when a decree by President Dilma Rousseff abolished smoking areas – the so-called smoking rooms. In cases of non-compliance, the establishment may receive a warning and a fine, in addition to being shut down and having its operating license revoked. Fines range from R$ 5 to R$ 1,5 million.
"These changes in Brazilian legislation, in addition to the inclusion of images on cigarette packs warning of the health risks, have had a positive impact on smoking habits. More than half of those interviewed in the National Health Survey (52,3%) stated that they considered quitting smoking because of these warnings," the ministry reported.