For the executive director of the Cancer Foundation, Luiz Augusto Maltoni, the data show that teenagers have found it easy to buy cigarettes in places where sales should not take place.
Nine out of ten adolescents, aged between 13 and 17, can buy cigarettes in authorized commercial premises, such as bakeries, cafeterias, markets and newsstands, according to a study by the National Cancer Institute (Inca). The sale is prohibited for this age group.
The study, which uses data from school surveys, also shows that seven out of ten young people had access to cigarettes through direct purchase from authorized establishments. Between 2015 and 2019, prohibited sales increased from 81.1% to 89.6%. Another fact is that 70% of minors buy single cigarettes, which means that outlets open the pack of cigarettes and sell single units, contrary to the law.
For the Executive Director of the Cancer Foundation, Luiz Augusto Maltonidata shows that adolescents found it easier to buy cigarettes in places where sales shouldn’t take place.
“When you violate any pack or pack of cigarettes, which is a product intended for consumption, you put the integrity of the product at risk. It is not known whether what was inside has been altered”warn the doctor. “These are two major offences. Firstly, failure to comply with the law regarding sales to minors and, secondly, the sale of single cigarettes, which is another offense which the law does not allow.”
According to Maltoni, parents, society and control institutions must remain vigilant in the fight against smoking in Brazil, even with the more than 50% decline in the number of smokers in the country. “We realize that we have not managed to make much progress in this reduction. It is necessary to constantly maintain attention on all these points, act in the age group where there is a greater possibility of preventing the onset of smoking habit and , therefore, addiction among children, young people and adolescents”.
Since 2019, Brazil and Turkey are cited as two countries that have taken all measures to combat tobacco, established in 2005 by the MPOWER report, by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to the director. “We cannot allow lack of vigilance or new forms of smoking, such as e-cigarettes, to warm up this market by forming new audiences.”
Smoking, active or passive, can lead to various health problems, such as heart and respiratory disease and cancer.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
