Local smoke-free policy development in Santa Fe, Argentina

Tob Control. 2010 Apr;19(2):110-6. doi: 10.1136/tc.2009.030197. Epub 2009 Dec 2.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the process of approval and implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free law in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, between 2005 and 2009.

Methods: Review of the Santa Fe smoke-free legislation, articles published in local newspapers and documentation on two lawsuits filed against the law, and interviews with key individuals in Santa Fe.

Results: Efforts to implement smoke-free policies in Santa Fe began during the 1990s without success, and resumed in 2005 when the provincial Legislature approved the first 100% smoke-free subnational law in Argentina. There was no strong opposition during the discussions within the legislature. As in other parts of the world, pro-tobacco industry interests attempted to block the implementation of the law using well known strategies. These efforts included a controversy media campaign set up, the creation of a hospitality industry association and a virtual smokers' rights group, the introduction of a counterproposal seeking modification of the law, the challenge of the law in the Supreme Court, and the proposal of a weak national bill that would 'conflict' with the subnational law. Tobacco control advocates sought media attention as a strategy to protect the law.

Conclusions: Santa Fe is the first subnational jurisdiction in Latin America to have enacted a comprehensive smoke-free policy following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. After 3 years of implementation, pro-tobacco industry forces failed to undermine the law. Other subnational jurisdictions in Argentina, as well as in Mexico and Brazil are following the Santa Fe example.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Argentina
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Food Industry / trends
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Legislation as Topic / economics
  • Legislation as Topic / history
  • Legislation as Topic / trends*
  • Smoking / economics
  • Smoking / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Tobacco Industry / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Tobacco Industry / trends
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / analysis
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution