Peru Congress Passes Anti-Tobacco and Nicotine Legislation
The Peruvian Congress has approved legislation aimed at reducing the consequences of smoking and cigarette consumption in the country. With 73 votes in favor, 13 against, and 8 abstentions, the Plenary of Congress passed the opinion of bills 3412, 3437, and 3732, which regulate the control of tobacco products, nicotine, and their substitutes.
Key Provisions of the Legislation
The new law prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes or vapers to minors under 18 years of age and drastically restricts the advertising of these products. It also increases health warnings on cigarette packaging from 50% to 70% of the packaging surface and mandates the inclusion of health warnings on vaper packaging.
Luis Picón Quedo, the president of the Health Commission, emphasized that the legislative initiative is based on the right to health and aims to reduce the impact of smoking and nicotine consumption while preventing the development of new generations of addicted consumers. He cited smoking as one of the four main factors contributing to non-communicable diseases in Peru, responsible for 22,374 deaths each year, with 22% of deaths attributable to cigarettes.
Economic Commission Highlights Protection of Minors
Ilich López Ureña, the president of the Economic Commission, stressed the importance of the ruling in protecting the health of Peruvians, especially minors. The legislation proposes policies of control, information, and education, while also imposing restrictions on the consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and related products. It expressly prohibits the sale of these products to minors and restricts advertising aimed at them.
The approval of this legislation marks a significant step in Peru’s efforts to combat the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine consumption, safeguarding public health and preventing the development of new generations of addicted consumers.
News source: Congreso aprueba norma para combatir el consumo de tabaco y nicotina
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