New Comprehensive Tobacco Control Law in Peru Will Save Lives, Must be Swiftly Enacted
Statement of Patricia Sosa, Director of Latin America Programs at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
October 22, 2024
Washington, D.C. - Peru’s Congress has approved a landmark tobacco control law that will drive down rates of tobacco use and save lives – and should be swiftly enacted by the executive branch. The law comes after a decade of tireless championing from a strong public health community in Peru and despite intense opposition from some of the world’s largest tobacco companies. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids strongly congratulates the Peruvian government and public health community for their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of all Peruvians.
Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship - long used by the tobacco industry to attract new, young customers - will be banned under the new law. The law also expands the size of pictorial health warning labels on tobacco products, including cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), and prohibits the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes in many public spaces. Large, pictorial warning labels on tobacco products are an effective public health measure to warn consumers about the health harms and addictiveness of tobacco products.
The world’s largest tobacco companies will stop at nothing to increase their profits and sell more tobacco products. In Peru, tobacco giants like British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International have surrounded schools with cigarette brands like Lucky Strike and Marlboro. Peru’s new tobacco control regulations must be swiftly enacted and strongly enforced to ensure that these crucial public health measures can save as many lives as possible.
Peru is a party to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), a global public health treaty that obligates the country to implement proven measures to address tobacco use. Such measures include 100 percent smoke-free public places, warning labels on tobacco products, increased tobacco taxes and restrictions on tobacco advertising. Peru’s new law will not only save lives, but will help the country fulfill its obligations to this crucial public health treaty.
Despite these significant advances, additional protections are still needed to address gaps in the new law. Specifically, warning labels on e-cigarettes are smaller and text-only, while advertising restrictions are not as comprehensive. More robust regulation of these addictive products is essential to protect public health, especially younger generations – particularly given how tobacco and e-cigarette companies market these products to young people in Peru and around the world.
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids commends the government of Peru and stands ready to support the public health community in implementing these new, life-saving public health measures.