Colombia struggles to enforce anti-smoking laws

In 2008, Colombia ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Almost 10 years later, in 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) rewarded the country's commitment to tobacco control and thereby highlighted the quality of the efforts made. However, while these efforts deserve to be recognized worldwide, their realization is not necessarily there. In fact, Colombia is struggling to ensure the proper implementation of its anti-smoking laws throughout the country..

Colombia, top student in smoking prevalence

In July 2009, Colombia promulgated law 1335 anti-smoking with the aim of protecting the health of minors. This law has notably made it possible to establish throughout Colombia, the ban on smoking in all enclosed places open to the public, such as bars, nightclubs, restaurants, with the possibility of installing smoking rooms for smoking customers.

In figures, the smoking prevalence of 16% in Colombia is slightly below the world average (20%) and even below the French prevalence (24%). In addition, the number of cigarettes consumed per capita per year is 359 in Colombia, while it is 2,353 in Belgium and 1,634 in Switzerland.

Although Colombia has a comprehensive and encouraging law in the fight against tobacco, there are still many obstacles in its application.

The proper application of legislative provisions is still hampered

Since 2011, all advertising and sponsorship by cigarette brands by any means whatsoever has been prohibited. Brands or their partners cannot sponsor cultural or sporting events. However, tobacco companies find ways to circumvent the laws to promote their products through street marketing.

Law 1335 also prohibits the sale of single cigarettes. Brands have adapted by offering half-packs. And street vendors continue to sell cigarettes individually.

In addition to being a public health problem, tobacco causes a real environmental problem in Bogota, the capital. In fact, nearly 720 million cigarette butts are thrown into the streets each year, several million of which end up in the Atlantic Ocean. Some of these cigarette butts also end up in the waters of the wetlands of Bogota. Mistaken for food, they are consumed by animals living in this environment.