Belize Moves Toward Banning Smoking in Enclosed Public Places

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, with the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), held a major workshop in Belize City aimed at moving the country toward a tobacco-free environment. This initiative is part of a regional push to strengthen tobacco legislation across Latin America.[1].

A strategic workshop for a tobacco-free Belize

Although Belize ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on December 15, 2005, authorities believe it is time to move from commitments to concrete implementation. The workshop brought together representatives from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector to discuss strategies.

The stated goal is to reduce tobacco use, one of the leading preventable causes of premature death, and promote healthier, smoke-free living spaces.

Dr. Andrei Chell, Director of the Policy Analysis and Planning Unit, said this week is dedicated to activities focused on tobacco- and emission-free environments. According to him, this is about saving lives, supporting the economy, and improving the quality of life in Belize. He emphasized the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration to identify best practices and implement evidence-based policies.

Data from market research firm IndexBox shows that Belize recorded the highest per capita cigarette consumption in the region in 2024, with an average of 50 cigarettes per person. The data also showed that Belize is among the top three importers of tobacco products in the region, with $52 million spent in 2024.[2].

Regional dynamics in favor of public health

During the workshop, Rosa Carolina Sandoval, PAHO Regional Advisor, emphasized that reducing tobacco consumption and secondhand smoke not only saves lives, citing, for example, the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease, but also generates significant savings for health systems. For her, ensuring smoke-free spaces in enclosed spaces and workplaces is essential to protect workers' health.

She also emphasized the importance of prevention and support for countries seeking to adopt anti-smoking laws. Ms. Sandoval noted that 24 Latin American and Caribbean countries have already implemented laws banning smoking in public places such as bars and restaurants, and these laws have not impacted tourism in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, or Barbados.

She added that in a country like Uruguay, which was the first to implement a smoke-free policy in 2005, anti-smoking laws quickly increased revenues for bars and restaurants by attracting non-smoking customers, the majority in the country.

PAHO and WHO now wish to support Belize in implementing similar measures, in the hope of one day seeing the entire region become a tobacco-free zone.

With growing support for this regional initiative, Belize is now seeking to define a clear roadmap to protect public health from the harmful effects of tobacco. Dialogue between different sectors should help build strong alliances to achieve smoke-free environments for the benefit of the entire population.

However, Belize's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced earlier in July that it would not increase taxes on tobacco and alcohol, contrary to WHO recommendations. Earlier this month, the organization launched a major initiative urging countries to increase the price of tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks by at least 50 % by 2035 through taxes.

The WHO says the increase would reduce chronic diseases and generate vital government revenue.

According to health officials, Belize is not yet at that stage, but is instead working to finalize a tobacco bill aimed at discouraging the sale and consumption of tobacco. Director of Public Health and Wellness Dr. Melissa Diaz Musa said the bill would also regulate tobacco marketing and that prevention campaigns against sugary drinks, tobacco, and alcohol would be conducted in schools.

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[1]Arceo Tanya, Belize Pushes for Smoke-Free Future, Greater Belize, published July 29, 2025, accessed July 30, 2025

[2]Love FM, Belize Rejects WHO Call for Higher Tobacco and Alcohol Taxes, published July 24, 2025, accessed July 30, 2025

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