SAO PAULO – A survey by the São Paulo Ministry of Health shows that state residents are smoking less. According to the study, the number of people who smoke two or more packs of cigarettes a day in São Paulo fell 31% beteen 2009 and 2010. The survey consisted of street interviews conducted by the Central Reference Center on Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs (CRATOD) in crowded areas of the state capital, reported O Dia online Tuesday.
Beautiful woman smoking (photo: cigarettesdigest.com)
In 2009, 42.15% of respondents in the survey were classified as heavy smokers. In 2010, the number of people classified as heavy smokers—two or more packs a day—decreased to 28.83%. About 1,000 people were interviewed in each year of the survey. In 2009 24.86% were identified as smokers (one to two packs per day), 10.46% as light smokers (less than a pack a day), and 22.51% as nonsmokers. In 2010, smokers accounted for 29.19%, 13.82% for light smokers and nonsmokers 28.15%.
The smoking classification for each participant in the study was arrived at using interviews and by a test that measures the concentration of carbon monoxide in a person's body. According to the CRATOD tobacco coordinator, Ivone Charran, the Anti-Smoking Law which took affect in São Paulo and other Brazilian cities in 2009 is directly responsible for the decline in smoking. “The Anti-Smoking Law in São Paulo has published the health dangers of smoking and contributed to the decline of heavy smokers show in the survey,” she said.
The experts warn, however, that smoking less is not sufficient for preventing the health problems. There is no safe level of tobacco use, they said.
The 2009 law in São Paulo banned smoking in all indoor public areas such as bars, restaurants and night clubs. A similar law took affect in Rio de Janeiro in 2009. Although Brazilian Federal law allows for smoking areas in public spaces, many states and municipalities have taken a tougher stand on smoking. About half the population of Brazil falls under the tighter restrictions set forth by states and cities.
Read also: More Articles from Brazil Dispatch
Brazilian online news source for this article: O Dia
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