Smoking in Ecuador is more common among men and younger people. According to a study in 2004, 49.4% of men and 13.1% of women smoke. More than half of

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ' ...

ian smokers desire to quit. The

Government of Ecuador The politics of Ecuador are multi-party system, multi-party. The central government polity is a quadrennially republic, elected presidential system, presidential, unicameral representative democracy. The President of Ecuador is head of state and ...

plans to reduce

second-hand smoke Passive smoking is the inhalation of tobacco smoke, called secondhand smoke (SHS), or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), by persons other than the intended "active" smoker. It occurs when tobacco smoke enters an environment, causing its inhalat ...

in public spaces by 2012. The

tobacco industry The tobacco industry comprises those persons and companies who are engaged in the growth, preparation for sale, shipment, advertisement, and distribution of tobacco and tobacco-related products. It is a global industry; tobacco can grow in any ...

in Ecuador includes the major players of Tabacalera Andina SA (a subsidiary of

Philip Morris International Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) is an American multinational tobacco company, with products sold in over 180 countries. The most recognized and best selling product of the company is Marlboro. Philip Morris International is often ref ...

Inc) and British American Tobacco (South America) Ltd. Smoking is expected to decrease as the government enacts laws and the public becomes more aware of the dangers of smoking. Smoking is common in bars and dance clubs, but non-smoking signs in restaurants in Quito are generally respected. In 2006, Ecuador adopted the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, emphasizing Smoke-Free environments, reforms on tobacco promotion and marketing, product packaging and labeling, and clear plans to enact laws to promote tobacco cessation. In 2011, the Ecuadorian Parliament adopted the Tobacco Control and Regulation Bill to enforce strict regulations on the promotion and marketing of tobacco products. It also included a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, workplaces, sporting events, health facilities, educational establishments, and public transportation. Sales from vending machines or sales to minors were also banned. Pictorial warnings on the health consequences of tobacco use are required to cover at least 60% of product packaging. Later in the year, the government raised its taxation on tobacco, becoming the nation with the highest rate in Latin America.

References

Health in Ecuador

{{ecuador-stub

See also

References