In January 2024, Chile implemented Law 21.642, which introduced stricter regulations on the sale and use of tobacco products, including a ban on selling e-cigarettes to minors. The Ministry of Health has been conducting inspections throughout the country to enforce these new rules.

According to the Ministry of Health, the Biobío region saw a total of 213 inspections related to the Tobacco Law in 2024. Of these, 106 took place in the province of Concepción, 62 in Biobío, and 45 in Arauco, resulting in three health summaries.

In the Biobío Province, only one out of the 62 inspections led to a summary, while in Arauco Province, just one summary was issued following 45 inspections.

Javiera Ceballos, the acting regional ministerial secretary of health for Biobío, stated, “For this year, we have set ourselves the challenge of increasing inspections in this area by 10% to continue protecting the health of the population.”

The new regulations prohibit smoking in enclosed spaces, including areas covered by a roof attached to one or more walls, terraces that are not open-air or have a roof attached to a wall, as well as in sports venues, stadiums, and gyms.