Cabrera, Oscar A.; Carballo, Juan --- "Tobacco control in Latin America" [2014] ELECD 543; in Mitchell, D. Andrew; Voon, Tania (eds), "The Global Tobacco Epidemic and the Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2014) 235

Book Title: The Global Tobacco Epidemic and the Law

Editor(s): Mitchell, D. Andrew; Voon, Tania

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781783471515

Section: Chapter 13

Section Title: Tobacco control in Latin America

Author(s): Cabrera, Oscar A.; Carballo, Juan

Number of pages: 23

Abstract/Description:

Latin America has experienced significant developments in tobacco control regulation in recent years. This includes legislation covering major tobacco control policies such as smoke-free environments, restrictions and regulations on packaging and labelling of tobacco products – including health warnings – and restrictions on tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship, which includes countries moving towards comprehensive bans. The progress made in the region on tobacco control has certain unique characteristics. On the one hand, tobacco control laws and regulations in Latin America are closely connected with human rights. On the other hand, increasing importance is being placed on commercial–trade legal frameworks, and the lack of effective implementation, coupled with institutional weaknesses, in some cases allows the tobacco industry to interfere in the development of public policies to protect health. The following section introduces the current situation of the tobacco epidemic in Latin America, which includes relatively high rates of tobacco consumption among women and poor people. In section III, we analyse the status of tobacco control laws and policies in the region. In section IV, we briefly analyse the relevant judicial decisions, addressing issues such as protection from the exposure to tobacco smoke, restrictions on packaging and labelling of tobacco products, and a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Finally, in section V, we draw attention to some of the specific characteristics of tobacco control in the region.It is important to clarify that for the purposes of this chapter our focus on Latin America will exclude the Caribbean countries.