Costa Rica has made progress in the control of cigarettes, and after the implementation of the 9028 Act, about 200 thousand people have quit smoking.
Smoking prevalence decreased from 14.5% in 2012 to 8.9% today.
According to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), medical care associated with smoking cost the health system more than 83 billion colones in 2013 and more than 91 billion colones in 2014.
Nowadays a person spends 19,370 colones per month to buy cigarettes.
Adriana Blanco, Head of risk factors and nutrition of the Pan American Health Organization, highlighted the country’s efforts to reduce tobacco consumption.