The strict measures against smoking that Uruguay implemented in March 2006 “are very good, but don't take into account the health consequences of those who have been smoking for 30 or 40 years.” That is what Daniel Kliman, president of the Uruguayan non-governmental organization Stop Tobacco, which has smoking cessation programs, told Tierramérica.

“Measures like the ban on smoking in enclosed spaces have already made smoking something that is not seen in a positive light… there are fewer people who smoke, and smokers are smoking less,” said Kliman.

But it will be a couple decades before the impact on health and mortality from tobacco use can be fully known, he said.

President Tabaré Vázquez, who is a practicing oncologist, last week at the United Nations made a heated international speech against tobacco use, underscoring his own government's commitment to fighting the problem.