Union Latin America Region

Brazil ban on tobacco additives to halt youth smoking

Sunday, 01 April 2012 15:31

Brazil has adopted the strongest ban on additives in the world. The ban covers all flavourings and additives in tobacco products including menthol, honey, fruit essences, colours and other sweeteners.

The new initiative was put forward by ANVISA, the regulatory health agency, more than a year ago and has put Brazil at the forefront of this type of tobacco intervention in the world. Tobacco manufacturers will have 18 months to comply with the new regulation and withdraw all flavored cigarettes from the Brazilian market.

Articles 9 and 10 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) regulate the contents of tobacco products, specifically the use of additives and flavourings and impel the tobacco industry to disclose the contents of tobacco products. Additives are often used to increase tobacco products’ appeal, especially among younger populations. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) youth aged 13 to 15 years, are the most attracted to flavoured tobacco.

The proposal to ban tobacco additives was put to an open to public consultation and several public hearings took place to receive comments and suggestions. The tobacco industry heavily opposed this measure and ANVISA’s resolution faced many obstacles to be issued.

The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) has been a collaborative partner of ANVISA in several initiatives during the past year. Several ANVISA staff have participated in The Union’s International Management Development Programme (IMDP). Past 5th of March, The Union joined international partners in the support letters to the Ministry of Health and the ANVISA to issue the final regulations regarding the use of additives on tobacco products.

Brasil

Progress in Ecuador for Tobacco Control Law: Regulation was issued in February

Sunday, 25 March 2012 21:13

Ecuador was declared smokefree following the approval of the National Law for Tobacco Control in mid-2011. Building on this success, a further regulation, Decree 1047, was passed in February 2012 to strengthen the law’s implementation, enforcement and effectiveness.

The new regulation is designed to ensure of 100% smokefree places in private and public enclosed spaces. The Inter-institutional Committee of Tobacco Control (CILA) was appointed as the National Institution to Coordinate the Tobacco Control efforts.

The regulation also strengthened World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) guidelines, such as the ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, which includes point-of-sale bans. Graphic health warnings will now be required to cover 60% of the surface of tobacco product packages and electronic cigarettes were categorised as tobacco products.

The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) represented by The Union Mexico Office has provided legal support in conferences afirming the importance of the National Law for Tobacco Control, also supported the national law project and the regulation draft and collaborated with partners such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Ministry of Health in Ecuador to support the regulation throughout its various stages of its development.

GustaS2

43rd Union World Conference on Lung Health

Monday, 19 March 2012 11:38

43rd Union World Conference on Lung Health

Date: 13 - 17 November 2012
Location : Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Theme: Driving sustainability through mutual responsibility
Programme (PDF 2.4 MB)

Description: The theme of the 43rd Union World Conference on Lung Health reflects the need for innovative finance and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure a sustainable health response. It emphasises the mutual responsibility of donors, government, civil society organisations and affected communities, policy-makers, researchers, and implementers for achieving common goals.

The Venue: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.klccconventioncentre.com

Website: www.worldlunghealth.org
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

"XVI Reunión Científica de la Región de América Latina de La Unión"

Friday, 24 February 2012 15:15

Nuestra conferencia tendrá lugar el día 29 de Marzo del 2012 a horas 1.00 pm hasta las 17.00 pm, en los Salones Barcelona 4 y 5 del Hotel Riu Plaza Panamá, dentro del marco del XXVI Congreso Centroamericano y del Caribe de Neumología, Dr. Edgardo Fernández; en la cual expondremos los últimos avances y actualizaciones sobre temas de salud respiratoria.

http://neumoytoraxpanama.org/web/

Esta conferencia será un importante foro para la comunidad científica, donde nuestros especialistas podrán compartir los últimos avances y descubrimientos en materia de investigación y tecnología; comentar desafíos y oportunidades en la lucha contra la tuberculosis y enfermedades respiratorias.

//od_displayImage('sitelogo', 'http://www.theunion.org/Regions/LatinAmerica/templates/ja_bellatrix/images/LOGO', 931,249, '', 'Union Latin America Region');