Creation of Smoke-Free Zones in Rosario City: A Proposal

According to the Argentinian media Ellitoral, the city of Rosario plans to create "smoke-free zones (ELDH)" in certain open spaces such as squares, parks, and children's play areas in order to reduce active and passive smoking consumption.

According to the proposal, these spaces will display conspicuous no-smoking signs and ensure that no items that could potentially encourage smoking, such as ashtrays and lighters, are present. The new regulation will be debated by the Rosario City Council in the coming days, led by council member Anahí Schibelbein.

This new regulation will impact various public places, including squares, parks, and public pedestrian streets with children's playground equipment, as well as sidewalks at rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and educational institutions.

The city had already banned smoking in all shops, factories, or other enclosed spaces as early as 2006. In 2010, this ban was expanded to include all open spaces and beaches in contact with the Paraná River.

According to the proposal, 'EPLH' will be an open or semi-open space designated by the city government where smoking or lighting tobacco, e-cigarettes, or other e-cigarette vapor systems will be prohibited, as it is deemed "necessary to minimize people's exposure to harmful smoke from tobacco products," council members emphasized. "More and more cities around the world, whether in our country or internationally, are expanding their smoke-free spaces due to the negative health impacts of tobacco smoke; governments have a responsibility to advance public policies to reduce diseases and deaths caused by active and passive smoking."