Tobacco Ads Are Banned From Mexican Television and Radio
"If we don't act energetically and if current trends continue, between today and 2010 our country will have racked up half a million deaths from tobacco consumption," AFP quoted Frenk as saying.
"To put that statistic into perspective, it would equal the death of everyone in (the state of) southern Baja California." The government reached an agreement with the tobacco companies to display health warnings that take up 25 percent of cigarette packet labeling. The labels are currently placed on one side of the pack.
A bill passed by the Lower House would ban tobacco advertisements near primary and secondary schools, but has yet to be approved by the Senate.
By 2004, cigarette packets will include a circular aimed at smokers which outlines treatment.
"(Smoking) causes five deaths every hour" in Mexico, the minister said.
The health system spends between six percent and 12 percent of its annual budget treating ill smokers, which amounts to nearly three billion dollars, Frenk said.