Ministry of Health and Wellness Hosts Forum on Tobacco Control

In commemoration of World No Tobacco Day, the Ministry of Health and Wellness held a forum to discuss the collective efforts to address tobacco control in Belize. The event was in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the ministry’s National Drug Abuse Control Council. Director of Public Health and Wellness, Melissa Diaz Musa, says the forum is important since cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of death over the past five years among other risk factors of tobacco use.

This year’s theme for World No Tobacco Day is “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference.” PAHO/WHO representative, Karen Lewis-Bell, spoke about the data surrounding tobacco consumption in Belize.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has recently presented a Tobacco bill to the Cabinet, pending approval.