Chile has implemented the new Tobacco Law since January 2024 to strengthen the regulation of tobacco products. The regional health minister said it planned to increase the number of inspections by 10 percent to protect public health.
Starting in January 2024, Chile implemented a new Tobacco Law, which aims to strictly regulate the sale and use of tobacco-related products. Since the law came into effect, several inspections have been carried out across Chile.
The Chilean Ministry of Health revealed that 213 inspections were carried out in the Biobio region in response to the Tobacco Act. Of these, 106 were in Concepcion Province, 62 in Biobio Province, and 45 in Arauco Province. Three health investigation reports were initiated as a result of the inspection. Of the 62 inspections conducted in Biobio province, only one resulted in an investigation report. In the province of Arauco, only one survey was issued out of 45 inspections conducted throughout the year.
Javiera Ceballos, interim health minister for the Biobio region, said: “This year we aim to increase the number of inspections by 10 percent to continue protecting public health.”
The above checks are based on new legislation currently in force that sets out the rules prohibiting smoking in enclosed areas, including covered Spaces with walls, terraces that are not open or against walls, as well as sports grounds, stadiums, and gyms.
