This Thursday in Parliament, the Health Minister guaranteed that the government’s proposal for the Tobacco Act “is not prohibitive” and that the department is working to “help those who want to quit smoking.”
“This proposal of ours is not a prohibitive proposal. We want to regulate. By reducing places where you can smoke, by reducing retail outlets and by equalizing tobacco products. [aquecido ao tradicional] We are committed to protecting children and youth,” said Margarida Tavares.
During the plenary debate discussing changes aimed at introducing new restrictions on the sale of tobacco products and places where people can smoke, Margarida Tavares faced questions from the PSD and PKP about the impact these changes will have on the industry. , in particular in Madeira and the Azores, and what measures are being taken to help smokers.
“This law is distinguished by its progressiveness and even the presence of transitional standards that make it possible to adapt not only society, but also trade and industry,” he said, recalling the dates of adoption of the new law.
According to the proposed law, for establishments whose premises are adapted to the current legislative procedures, the final cessation of smoking in enclosed spaces will only come into force from 2030, which will allow them to recoup their investments.
Earlier, from 2025, the ban on the sale of tobacco in places where smoking is prohibited will be extended, and the places where the installation of vending machines is allowed will be redefined.
“We are giving them time to adapt,” the Secretary of State concluded.
Regarding smoking cessation consultations, Margarida Tavares did not specify the numbers that will increase, but assured that the government is “working” to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in this matter.
“Now the medicine [de desabituação tabágica] for which reimbursement has been withdrawn from the market, and there is another drug for which reimbursement has not been requested. We are going this route so that it can be reimbursed, but there are requirements here that the industry itself may not be able to achieve because prices need to be negotiated. This is the path we are on,” he described.
Margarida Tavares confirmed that the measures proposed in this amendment to the law are “intended to protect the population,” recalled the government’s goal to ensure that younger generations reach a tobacco-free generation by 2040, and outlined the intention to “denormalize tobacco consumption.” , in other words, “do not teach children and young people that smoking is a normal activity.”
Regarding information campaigns, he acknowledged that “they need to be disseminated,” and regarding warnings, he stated that they “exist and are carried out throughout Europe.”
The governor responded to requests for clarification from Miguel Santos of the PSD and João Dias of the PCP.
The Social Democratic deputy recalled that this law will have a serious impact on the autonomous regions and, addressing the Minister of Health Manuel Pizarro, who is also present today at the plenary session of the Assembly of the Republic, accused the government of not having included data on this issue into the proposal.
The fact is that, according to Fábrica de Tabaco Micaelense (FTM), the industry employs about 100 workers scattered throughout the Azores and Madeira.
The SDP also noted that the number of smoking cessation consultations fell by 4.8%, and the number of intensive support and counseling places “has more than halved.”
“This part [da prevenção e apoio aos fumadores] It sucks and that’s the part that does the most work,” Miguel Santos said.
João Dias asked that “there is no persecution of smokers” and asked that schools be involved in these measures, also pointing out the need to strengthen smoking cessation counseling.
“In 2019, we had 215 consultation points, and today we have 112,” he lamented.
Earlier, Margarida Tavares, entering the discussion, said that the government “chose the goal of revising the law without justifying or stigmatizing smokers,” and, citing figures, argued that “it would be an unforgivable mistake” not to fight smoking. against the “tobacco epidemic”.
“In Portugal, at least one person dies every half hour due to tobacco (…). A smoker lives on average 10 years less than a non-smoker (…). We have the second worst record in Europe for tobacco exposure,” some of the data presented.
The tobacco law being debated this Thursday equates traditional tobacco with heated tobacco, tightens the ban on sales in automatic machines and prohibits outdoor smoking near schools, colleges or hospitals.
One of the measures originally included in the proposed law was a ban on the sale of tobacco at petrol stations, which the sector opposed and which the government withdrew, arguing that in some places “the place to buy tobacco was too far away”.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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