Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2025. 6:37 am CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Health officials, policy experts, and international advisors convened at the Grand Resort in Belize City on Tuesday to discuss strengthening smoke-free legislation across the region. The event, led by the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), focused on a shared vision: banning smoking in all indoor environments, including workplaces, to protect public health.
Dr. Andrei Chell, Director of Policy, Planning, and Research at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, emphasized that indoor smoking continues to be a contributor to chronic health conditions in Belize. “If we want to reduce respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and cancer cases, we must start by removing smoke from enclosed public spaces,” Chell said.
PAHO/WHO Advisor on Tobacco Control, Rosa Sandoval, stressed that designated smoking areas don’t provide sufficient protection. “People don’t choose where they work. They need a safe environment. Smoke-free indoor policies are not only good for health, they’re also good for business,” Sandoval said.
She cited data from countries like Uruguay and Barbados showing no negative economic impact after implementing smoke-free laws on the contrary, many sectors experienced growth, including tourism and hospitality.
The two-day event aims to create regional alignment on smoke-free goals, with Belize taking active steps toward adopting more comprehensive tobacco control policies.
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The post Belize moves closer to indoor smoking ban after regional health meeting appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2025. 6:37 am CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff: Health officials, policy experts, and international advisors convened at the Grand Resort in
The post Belize moves closer to indoor smoking ban after regional health meeting appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
