The government of Luis Lacalle Pou implemented changes in the regulations on the packaging and plain labeling of cigarettesfor which it enabled the sale of the so-called “soft boxes” that had been prohibited by the Tabaré Vázquez administration, allowed to place the brands on cigarette filters and implemented fines for those who sell contraband brands.
The new regulations sparked criticism from the opposition: mayors Carolina Cosse, Yamandú Orsi, and legislators from the Broad Front (FA) spoke out via Twitter and questioned the government’s decision.
In that sense, Cosse wrote: “Very serious. Attack on public health. Resist and then build.”
Very serious. Attack on Public Health. Resist and then rebuild. pic.twitter.com/cNaq8lvdTh
– Carolina Cosse (@CosseCarolina) September 7, 2022
For his part, Orsi considered that it is not a “good sign to go back on the smoking issue.”
From the official account of the Broad Front, meanwhile, they affirmed that Uruguay knew how to “be a reference in the world and represented at an international level” for the anti-tobacco fight.
The issue of the narco-passport was not clear. It is not a good sign to go back on the smoking issue. Meanwhile, wages are not recovered, many families suffer from the effects of base paste and we continue to have security problems. Health, work and safety are not negotiated.
– Yamandu Orsi (@OrsiYamandu) September 7, 2022
We knew how to be a reference in the world and represented internationally for the fight for health and the right to life.
People first. https://t.co/6314URh16T
— Broad Front (@Frente_Amplio) September 7, 2022
The former director of the Planning and Budget Office (OPP), Álvaro García, described the changes as a “gross setback” and said that it is “one more” of those promoted by the Lacalle Pou government. García warned that “you don’t play with health.”
For his part, Senator Alejandro Sánchez questioned whether the Montepaz company had contributed to the National Party campaign in 2019. “When those who finance the campaigns define public policies, democracy erodes and the political system loses legitimacy,” he assured.
brutal recoil. One more. Tabaré’s anti-tobacco policy had remarkable results. Health is not played.
Government introduces changes to the presentation of cigarettes; will allow use of logos and soft box https://t.co/OpRunXmytT
– Álvaro García (@32alvarogarcia) September 7, 2022
Other senators from the Front, such as Charles Carrera, Enrique Rubio, José Carlos Mahía and Liliam Kechichian, criticized the measure, understanding that it is a “regression”.
The way to lose in the league what had been won on the field. An incomprehensible setback of a measure with which Uruguay had achieved international prestige and respect.https://t.co/idnr5ZqmhC
– Charles Carrera Leal (@ChCarreraLeal) September 7, 2022
The former Undersecretary of Health, Cristina Lustemberg, was also against the changes and assured that they are made “in harmony with the tobacco companies.”
With this decree, the anti-tobacco policy is regressed and regulations are made in harmony with the tobacco companies. https://t.co/ijwBqPYWO8
— C. Lustemberg (@LustembergC) September 7, 2022
