Marking International Day Without Tobacco, Mexico’s health secretary announced Friday that cigarette ads will no longer be allowed on television or radio after Jan. 1.
Julio Frenk also said a majority of the nation’s pharmacies gradually will phase out the sale of tobacco products starting in June 2003.
Frenk made the announcement at President Vicente Fox’s official residence. Fox added that he was prohibiting cigarette smoking at the residence.
Six percent to 12 percent of Mexico’s health-care costs go to treating smoking-related illnesses, the health secretary said, adding that five people die of such illnesses every hour in Mexico.
The action brings Mexico in line with other developed countries, including the United States, that have adopted such measures.
Other elements of the agreement include placing warning notices on at least 25 percent of a cigarette pack’s surface–in addition to current side-label warnings–and restricting advertising.
