The President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, publicly said that it was the Monte Paz tobacco company that asked the Ministry of Industry to relax the anti-smoking regulations, which were established by the late former president Tabaré Vázquez.
“In these days I have heard a huge amount of nonsense, capable that because of the action reaction, the constant political combat against the government, I understand it, they are fully entitled,” Lacalle began by saying at the press conference in which he was consulted about it.
And he added: “But, when it is said that this decree threatens health, against the anti-smoking campaign, which is obviously not true… if one starts using such pamphlet arguments, so basic, I could say… that I do not think so… that Those who oppose this decree are defending the smugglers, and are attacking Uruguayan sources of employment. I don’t think about it and I don’t say it.”
For the president, “that one box, to compete against Eco, against 51, against other contraband cigarettes (…) and the people who work here in Uruguay, the only thing we are doing is that they have one more box cheap to produce and combat smuggling, or are we encouraging smoking?
At the request of the tobacco company
Regarding the reduction in the final price of cigarettes, in which the cheaper cost of soft packs will have an impact, he preferred not to comment.
But he did publicly admit that there was a request from the tobacco industry for this decree to be made.
“And another thing I want to tell you: some people asked me in off-screen, and some ridiculous things that I also heard: ‘this is to favor the Monte Paz company!’ No, if a chewing gum company asked me to. Obvious! If who is dedicated to producing cigars is Monte Paz. And who asked the Ministry of Industry for this? Monte Paz!” expressed Lacalle.
“Now, does anyone believe that they are going to move us because of pressure? They don’t know us, it’s a lack of respect. Sometimes what happens is that some would act that way. I don’t, and I think I’ve proven it. So, criticism is welcome, but disrespect and assigning intentions, it seems to me that it does not correspond, ”he concluded.
