Brazil Cracks Down Hard on Smoking

Brazil News

| WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Brazilian government has taken historic action to protect the health of the nation's more than 190 million citizens by enacting a comprehensive tobacco control law. Signed by President Dilma Rousseff today, the new law will make Brazil the largest country in the world to go completely smoke-free, adding momentum to a movement sweeping across Latin America to protect citizens from the deadly toll of tobacco use and secondhand smoke.

Beautiful woman smoking (photo: cigarettesdigest.com)

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Smugglers Plea: Let Us Work in Peace

Brazil News

| CURITIBA, Brazil – Federal Highway Police in Iguassu Falls on Monday, seized a minivan laden with over 17k packs of contraband cigarettes being smuggled from Paraguay. The trunk and interior cabin of the Opel Meriva was fully loaded, leaving room only for the driver, reported terra.com.br.

Cigarette Smuggling Vehicle in Foz do Iguaçu (photo: terra.com.br)

Government Debates Changes to Smoking Laws

by Michael Hone

Would Allow Smoking in Bars and Restaurants in Some Cases

BRASILIA, Brazil – The Ministry of Health is participating in negotiations that would end the total ban on smoking in bars and restaurants nationwide. The proposed amendment to the Provisional Measure 540 (MP) under consideration envisions the creation of establishments used exclusively for smokers, reports O Estado de S. Paulo.

Federal Police Seize 5,500 Cartons of Cigarettes

The U.S. $55,000 Load Apparently Entering the Country from Paraguay

GUAIRA, Brazil - Federal Police on Wednesday seized about 110 boxes of cigarettes without legal documentation along with two boats used to transport them in Guaira, in the far-west of Parana. The load, which contained 5,500 cartons of cigarettes, is valued at approximately U.S. $55,000, reported terra.com.br today.

Sao Paulo Residents Smoking Less

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)