Smoking ban in public places in Uruguay

Uruguay

Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay sometimes rendered as the Eastern Republic of Uruguay
in the English language is a country located in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some
3.5 million people, of whom 1.4 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area. An estimated
88% of the population is of European descent.

Uruguay is one of the most economically developed countries in South America, with a high GDP per capita.
The economy is largely based on agriculture and the state sector. Uruguay is rated as the least corrupt
country in Latin America, with its political and labour conditions being among the freest on the continent.


Source: University of Texas Libraries and a satellite image of Uruguay


Smoking ban was enforced in Uruguay.

Smoking in Uruguay in enclosed public spaces became illegal in March 2006. Now bars, restaurants
or offices where people are caught smoking face fines of more than $1,100 or a three-day closure.
Uruguay was the first country in Latin America to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces.
Anti-smoking groups estimate that as many as a third of 3.4 million people smoke. President Tabare
Vazquez, a practicing oncologist, has cited reports suggesting about seven people die each day in
Uruguay, that is estimated 5,000 people a year, from smoking-related causes, including lung cancer,
emphysema and other illnesses.

To help promote the plan, president Vazquez launched a campaign called "A Million Thanks,"which
is a reference to the number of Uruguayan smokers. So far, the campaign seems to have won these
people over, as an opinion poll conducted by the Ministry of Public Health states that close to 70%
of the country's smokers support the legislation. The president was the impetus behind the govern-
ment-decreed measure, which is among the world toughest and is similar to the ban, which has
been already in place, in Ireland, Sweden, and Norway.
Source: Wikipedia

Uruguay: Successful national smoking ban

Exposure to secondhand smoke decreased greatly in indoor public places and workplaces in Monte-
video after the implementation of a national smoking ban in 2006. The overall nicotine reduction
between 2002 and 2007 was 91%, and the greatest reductions wereobserved in schools at 97%,
the airport at 94%, and the hospital at 89%. Study authors note that nationwide smoking ban
legislation can be successfully implemented in low- and middle-income countries. "Reduction of
secondhand tobacco smoke in public places following national smoke-free legislation in Uruguay"
Source: Tobacco Control 2010; 19:231-234


世界的な公共的施設での喫煙規制の潮流の中、南米初の公共的施設での全面禁煙が発足した。2006年3月、
ウルグァイは南米で最初の屋内公共機関、飲食店での全面禁煙を実施した。すべての屋内における職場、
レストラン、カフェはスモークフリーとなった。違反に対する罰金は最高、1,000ドルである。


Brazil, the country in progress for the future
Smoking Ban in South America
Pictorial Health Warning for Smoking in Brazil
Incomplete Smoking Ban in Portugal


南米初の屋内全面禁煙国
2010年8月執筆　医学博士　宮本順伯
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This information was provided by the Smokefree Hotel and Travel.
The articles were written in August 2010, by Junhaku Miyamoto, M.D., PhD.
Copyright (C) 2010 Junhaku Miyamoto, PhD. All right is reserved.