Suriname and Seven Other Countries Implement WHO’s Framework on Tobacco Control

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognized Suriname among a total of eight countries that are implementing measures in harmony with WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to safeguard their citizens from newer tobacco products.

Together with the recent prohibition of marketing and usage of e-cigarettes in Venezuela, 21 nations in the Americas now regulate electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as vapes and e-cigarettes.

Dr. Anselm Hennis of the Pan American Health Organization highlighted the importance of the move in Venezuela for the nation and the region. He expressed hope other nations would follow suit due to the addictive, harmful nature of these products, which are heavily marketed towards young individuals.

Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela are the latest countries to join the initiative, either partially or fully implementing one or more regulatory measures or outright prohibiting the sale of ENDS.

Meanwhile, 14 countries in the Americas, including in the Caribbean, still have no regulations controlling these products.

The most recent action from the Venezuelan Ministry of Popular Power for Health, which follows last year's prohibition of vape sales to minors, bans the manufacture, supply, advertising, and related activities of ENDS and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems.

PAHO/WHO recommends that governments apply regulations aligned with FCTC's guidelines and its decisions, such as banning any marketing or sale of ENDS, restricting their use in public places, prohibiting their promotion, applying taxes, and other similar regulations that are applied to conventional tobacco products.

Tobacco claims the lives of one million people each year in the Americas and 11.3% of adolescents between 13 and 15 years of age in the region use tobacco, surpassing the global average of 10.3%.