Health Minister Challenges Argentineans To Cut National Smoking Rate By 50 Percent

Buenos Aires, Argentina (AHN) - Argentinean Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia has challenged the nation to reduce its smoking rate by 50 percent in 2016.

Speaking at the second Argentine Health Congress in Mendoza province, Garcia said liberating Argentineans from the addiction of nicotine addiction 9 years hence will coincide with the country's bicentennial year of independence.

Although 33 percent of the nation's 40.3 million population light cigarettes, the country's smoking rate had gone down from 39.8 percent in 1999. The reduction is equivalent to 1.5 million less puffers.

Argentina makes up for 15 percent of tobacco consumption in the region. The National Program on Tobacco Control said many young Argentineans start to take up the habit as early as 11 years old.

The ill effect of tobacco is reflected in 100 deaths every day or 40,000 per year, of which 6,000 are victims of second-hand smoke. The cost to the country's economy of cigarette consumption is $1.4 billion (4.3 billion pesos) a year.

There had been a shift in Argentinean behavior and attitude toward smoking in the past years. A 2006 survey done by telephone said 93.4 percent of people surveyed said they support a move to establish smoke-free areas in public places, while 97 percent want lighting up to be banned in schools, universities and hospitals.

Garcia said, "People do not think the same today with respect to cigarettes as four years ago. We have to change behavior for our own good and that of those around us."