The regulation entitled Labelling Regulations on Tobacco Products and Derivatives is in effect, and tobacco companies must adhere to it within one year.
This regulation aims to "establish regulations on the labeling of primary packaging and secondary packaging of all tobacco products and tobacco derivatives, indicating the damage and health consequences resulting from consumption on the packaging itself," noted an article in PrensaLibre.cr.
The Pan American Health Organization denounced the continued interference by the tobacco industry in the passing of antismoking laws in the countries of the Americas.
Washington, D.C., 31 May 2012 (PAHO/WHO) - The tobacco industry continues to interfere with tobacco control policies in the Americas and these efforts have intensified since the 2005 entry into force of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Costa Rica's Congress has approved the first reading of a bill to ban smoking in public places, and charge a tax of $0.80 on each packet of 20 cigarettes.
The law on tobacco and its dangerous effects will prohibit smoking in public places and also raises taxes on cigarettes. Within the approved standards is a tax of 20¢ per cigarette, which will raise the cost by about ¢ 400 ($0.80).
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador has lifted president Funes 's veto of the law regulating the advertising, marketing and consumption of tobacco, and protecting non-smokers.
An article by Amadeo Cabrera in Prensagrafica.com reported that at the end of the vote and amid applause, the president of Congress, the president of the Assembly and the deputy of the FMLN Siegfried Reyes declared: "56 votes in favor, zero votes against, five abstentions. Therefore, legislative decree number 771, by which the Law on Tobacco Control was issued, has been ratified and should follow the process established by the Constitution. "
President Funes has vetoed a law intended to prohibit smoking in public places.
Inconvenient and detrimental to business is how President Funes categorized the law which had been adopted in the legislature of June 23.
According to Funes, the implementation of the regulation could affect economic activity in various sectors, both in the restrictions on commercialization and also those affecting to advertising and promotion.
Congress has passed the Tabacco Control Act, which regulates advertising and tabacco consumption.
The new law prohibits smoking in public places (workplaces, public transport, health centers, etc.) and regulates the sale and advertising of cigarettes. Fines have been established for those who violate the law.
"The tobacco industry has opposed the legislation and suggests a starting a dialogue aimed at balancing the control over tabacco that the government is seeking to exercise.", reported Elsalvador.com
On Monday, February 21st, a law prohibiting smoking in enclosed public and private places came into effect.
The law prohibits smoking in open places less than 15 meters away from where a nonsmoker is located.
Ron Portillo, director of the Institute for Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, said that the values of the fines can be up to $ 311 for individuals and up to $ 6.300 for businesses which allow smoking.
Beginning in January 2010, Pfizer will focus all its operations for the Caribbean and Central America in Costa Rica.
This was announced by company executives for Latin America and the Caribbean during a meeting with President Oscar Arias.
The representatives of the pharmaceutical company also expressed satisfaction with the signing of an agreement with the Costa Rican Ministry of Health to develop a joint campaign against smoking.