“They have never been better!” we refer to the Nicaraguan tobacco industry, thanks to the fact that in recent years it has achieved a high distinction in the international market, placing “pinolero” tobacco among the 5 of the 10 best in the world.

Although in April 2014, the FDA published the regulation of the “Tobacco Control and Family Smoking Prevention Act” of the United States, which was approved by the North American Congress in June 2009, this regulation has not been constituted no barrier to the export of Nicaraguan tobacco, which continues to position itself very well in the North American market, so much so that the industry has not been able to meet the “new” requests because it is above the national production capacity.

In this sense, the Nicaraguan Chamber of Tobacco Growers (CNT) through its Vice President, informed El Nuevo Diario in November 2017, that the Nicaraguan tobacco industry expects to grow 6 percent in its plantations in 2018, to reach 3,494 hectares of extension.

This news, of course, is taken seriously and celebrated by the state of Nicaragua. Currently the tobacco industry provides some 40,000 direct jobs, especially in the northern part of the country, taking into account that 90% of the tobacco leaf production is for the creation of Nicaraguan “cigars”.

“The other side of the coin”

The data looks like very good news when we examine one side of the coin. However, when we analyze the balance between the production and export of tobacco versus the import and consumption of cigarettes, things change; changes because it shows the degree of vulnerability to which Nicaraguan youth is exposed.

Let’s review some background: although there are no data on the prevalence of tobacco use in adults, the survey conducted by the WHO on “Youth and Tobacco in the Americas (2000 – 2010)” reported that the early initiation of cigarette use in men was of 21.5% and in women of 17.4%, figures that do not seem to be very high, but when we compare them with the same reports of their peers in the Central American region, the figures for Nicaragua are among the highest in Central America surpassed only by the figures obtained in Belize.

If we explore at the level of the youngest population segment, we find that the current consumption of cigarettes in young people was 21.2%, exceeding the average for Latin America and the Caribbean (16.2%). While the percentage of passive smokers at the level of the republic is 54.1%, again constituting the highest figure in Central America.

“They shake hands, and take up to the elbow”

The WHO has stated that tobacco is one of the four major behavioral risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases, and it is estimated that it is responsible for 71% of lung cancers, 42% of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and nearly 10% of cardiovascular diseases.

PAHO in Nicaragua has indicated that in the records of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) in the period 1998-2012, some 2,221 people died with a diagnosis linked to tobacco use, including: lung agenesis, lung gangrene and necrosis, rheumatoid disease of the lung, malignant tumor of the lung and abscess of the lung.

This same report pointed out that smoking, in terms of mortality, has a marked effect on the male sex (60.4% of deaths). Not only do men die significantly more than women from causes associated with tobacco use, they also die earlier (83% die in the 50-year age group and 11% in the 35-49 age group). , which indicates the need to undertake actions aimed at this population sector.

When we ask ourselves what is the reason for the popularity of cigarette consumption (derived from tobacco) among young Nicaraguans, -who seem to be more willing to start smoking at an earlier age than their Central American peers-, we have to take into account various factors, including a) availability, b) fierce marketing, and c) lack of monitoring to enforce regulations and punish violations of Law 727 (Tobacco Control Law)

1. Let’s talk about availability (Cost): The PAHO/WHO tobacco control report in 2011 points out the country’s progress under Article 6 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) , where the parties recognized that measures related to prices and taxes are an effective and important means for various sectors of the population, particularly young people, to reduce their consumption of tobacco. Each Party shall implement fiscal and pricing policies for tobacco products, including banning or restricting, as appropriate, the duty-free sale of tobacco products in order to contribute to health goals aimed at reducing tobacco use.

In Nicaragua, the average price of the best-selling brand of cigarettes is U$1.41 (one dollar and 41/100 cents). In cordobas, the price varies according to the flavor and presentation, so it ranges between C$37.00 and C$52.00 cordobas. The tax rate represents 29% of the final value of the package, the lowest tax rate in the region, which is around 45%, according to this same report.

Why is it so important to the WHO that cigarette tax rates be increased? Because raising tobacco prices by significantly increasing taxes is the single most effective measure to reduce tobacco use and to encourage tobacco users to quit. Tax increases are very important to deter youth and low-income people from tobacco use. They also directly benefit governments by allowing them to increase their tax revenue, which in turn can be used for tobacco control and other health and social programs.

In Peru, the building that houses the National Cancer Institute was built with proceeds from tobacco products.

1. Let’s talk about Fierce Marketing: In Nicaragua alone, in 2005, Belmont launched two new versions of cigarettes: Cream Mix and Tropical Mix, which come in packs of 20 units and are distinguished by their youthful designs. Cecilia Carbonero, then manager of Belmont for Central America and the Caribbean, referred to these two new products: “they are going to be marketed in selected businesses and they only come in packs of 20 cigarettes, in addition, Nicaragua is the first country in Central America where we launch them commercially. ”

Later, he told the Nicaraguan Press: “but the innovations do not stop there, but the packs come with tropical designs, both have a snail, in the case of Cream Mix it is light blue-blue that invites relaxation, while the presentation of Tropical Mix is ​​more pachanguera. With these designs we are inviting customers to have a good time in the company of their friends, either by the sea or in entertainment centers”, he concluded.

PAHO has expressed its concern in these strategies that show that the tobacco industry is “innovating” with new flavors for the population of young people and adolescents, in addition, they are producing economically convenient packs for consumers with low purchasing power with the purpose of increasing sales and promote consumption.

With these strategies, we do not doubt why the popularity of cigarette consumption among our youth, who in the end go from experimentation to being stable consumers.

1. Monitoring to enforce the Law: In the same report, PAHO commented that, although it is true, in Nicaragua the totally smoke-free environments are: Health Units and Universities (highlighting the Central American University). The regulatory framework establishes that the public transport sector must be free of tobacco smoke, but this is not complied with. Nicaragua is the second country in the Central American subregion, after Costa Rica, that does not comply with the seven types of public places totally free of tobacco smoke.

In the current legislation of the country, it is mandated to establish health warnings on the packages of cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as on all marketing materials that help inform consumers of these dangers. However, the fact that the harmful effects of tobacco on health in cigarette packages is not described through Pictograms. Even some distributors have already removed the warning “Smoking is harmful to health” that must cover 60% of the front faces of the packs and have discreetly moved it to one side of the packs; others have reduced it to 30% of the size of the pack, but all in violation of the regulations of Law 727. No one has censored them, they work with absolute freedom, with low taxes, in clear progress and economic development, they are innovating and increasing the market of consumers, especially among young people.

What more can they ask for? Undoubtedly, in this case, the saying is fulfilled: “they shook hands and held each other up to the elbow”. It is not surprising that in our country the tobacco industry is in its paradise.