[Intl-tobacco] Aggressive tobacco regulation proposed in Brazil

[Robert Weissman]

Brazil Wants Heavy Cigarette Tax
by Peter Muello / Associated Press Writer
Source: AP, Thursday, 5/25/00

Thursday, May 25, 2000; 3:12 p.m. EDT

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil =96=96 In a new offensive against the tobacco indust=
ry,
Brazil's government announced it will propose a heavy surtax on cigarette
sales and a ban on all advertising and sponsorship of cultural and sports
events by the tobacco industry.

Health Minster Jose Serra said the goal is to reduce smoking by 40 percent
within four years. The new measures will be submitted to Congress next
week.

"The ministry starts from the premise that cigarettes are a drug and
should be fought as a drug," Serra said in announcing the proposed
legislation Wednesday.

One bill would ban cigarette ads from television, radio, newspapers,
magazines and billboards. Tobacco companies also would be prohibited from
sponsoring many events, including an annual jazz festival and the popular
Formula One and CART auto races.

In the United States, cigarette advertising is also restricted =96 includin=
g
a ban on television ads.

TV ads in Brazil now are allowed late at night and must carry a health
warning at the end. But the warnings vary greatly in content, and some are
as mild as:  "Avoid smoking in the presence of children."

The government hasn't set a rate for the surtax, which also would be
levied on liquor manufacturers. But Serra said it could generate $81
million a year, which he said would be spent on health research.

The main target of the campaign is teen-agers, he said.

A 30-second TV spot that began airing on Thursday shows a drug dealer in a
Brazilian slum, his face concealed with a ski mask, explaining how he gets
clients hooked =96 on cigarettes.

Health Ministry figures show that smoking-related diseases cause a death
about every seven minutes in Brazil, a nation of 165 million people.

Opposition parties, which have submitted five bills with varying sanctions
against the tobacco industry, applauded the initiative.

Souza Cruz, a major Brazilian tobacco company owned by British
conglomerate BAT Industries PLC, declined to comment on the government
proposal.

Brazil, an important tobacco grower that for years ignored the
anti-tobacco movement abroad, has stepped up efforts to curb smoking in
recent years.  Smoking now is banned in public buildings and on all
domestic and international airplane flights.

Some Brazilian state governments also have filed suit in U.S. courts
against American tobacco companies to recover money spent in treating
smoking-related diseases. The states of Rio de Janeiro and Goias are
seeking at least $5 billion each.