Issues Costa Rica

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of Costa Rica. Every year, more than 1100 of its people are killed by tobacco- caused disease. Still, more than 3000 children (10-14 years old) and 316000 adults (15+ years old) continue to use tobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in Costa Rica and ensures that tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities and resources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.) Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.) Deaths % using tobacco daily: 2015 % using tobacco daily: 2015 % caused by tobacco: 2016

Male Boys 18.5% 1.08% Even though fewer men smoke on average Even though fewer boys smoke in Costa Rica in Costa Rica than on average in high-HDI than on average in high-HDI countries, there countries, there are still more than 216600 are still more than 1900 boys who smoke men who smoke cigarettes each day, cigarettes each day, making it an ongoing and making it an ongoing and dire public health dire public health threat. threat. Male Girls Female 7.02% 0.99% Even though fewer men die from tobacco in 8.3% More girls smoke in Costa Rica than on Costa Rica than on average in high-HDI More women smoke in Costa Rica than on average in high-HDI countries. countries, tobacco still kills 16 men every average in high-HDI countries. week, necessitating action from policymakers.

Female 3.69% Even though fewer women die from tobacco in Costa Rica than on average in high-HDI countries, tobacco still kills 7 women every week, necessitating action from policymakers.

Societal Harms Smokeless Tobacco % using tobacco daily: 2013 The economic cost of smoking in Costa Rica amounts to 64228 million Costa Rican colons. This includes direct costs related to Even though fewer people use smokeless tobacco healthcare expenditures and indirect costs related to lost 0.1% on average in Costa Rica than on average in high- productivity due to early mortality and morbidity. HDI countries, 3700 people still currently use smokeless tobacco, indicating an ongoing public health challenge, including heightened levels of oral cancers.

Industry Growing Production

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobacco There were less than 1000 There were 1.03 companies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, 535% larger metric tons of tobacco produced billion cigarettes than the Gross National Income of Costa Rica. The industry is a in Costa Rica in 2014. Tobacco produced in Costa powerful force that does not fear the actions of nation-states growing is only a small fraction Rica in 2016. because of their extensive resources and global market power. of agriculture in Costa Rica, with only less than 0.01% of agricultural land devoted to tobacco cultivation.

ta6.org/country/costa-rica Solutions Costa Rica Current Policy in Costa Rica Offer Help Protect from Smoke National quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice

All public places completely smoke-free is Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered) the best practice National Quitline No

Smokefree Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product Packaging A plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities Type of Warning Label Graphic Percent of Pack Covered 50% Plain Packaging No

Universities Government Facilities

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes Indoor Offices Restaurants Appropriate Characteristics Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes Pre-Tested With The Target Audience Yes Target Audience Research Was Conducted Yes

Pubs and Bars Public Transport Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes Utilized Media Planning Yes Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign Yes Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation Yes Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness No All Other Indoor Public Funds for Smokefree Places Enforcement Enforce Bans on Advertising Ban on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Raise Taxes Number of Direct Number of Ad Ban Compliance Ad Bans Indirect Ad Bans Percent WHO Benchmark Minimum 7/7 7/10 High 70% possible bans possible bans of Retail Price is Excise Tax Direct bans Indirect bans Costa Rica • National TV and radio • Non-tobacco products identified with tobacco brand names • International TV and radio • Brand name of non-tobacco products used for tobacco product 57.88% • Local magazines and • Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (product placement) newspapers • Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco products of Retail Price • International magazines • Complete ban on sponsorship is Excise Tax and newspapers • Any form of contribution (financial or other support) to any event, • Billboard and outdoor activity or individual advertising • Ban on the publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support by • Advertising at point of sale the tobacco industry of events, activities, individuals • Advertising on internet

ta6.org/country/costa-rica