TOBACCO USE & HEALTH

• Cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other serious diseases and adverse health conditions.
• No tobacco product has been shown to be safe and without risks.
• Nicotine in tobacco products is addictive.
• It is the smoke inhaled from burning tobacco which poses the most significant health risks.
• Quitting cigarette smoking significantly reduces health risks.
• Adult tobacco consumers have a right to be fully and accurately informed about the risks of serious diseases, the significant differences in the comparative risks of different tobacco and nicotine-based products, and the benefits of quitting. This information should be based on sound science.
• Governments, public health officials, tobacco manufacturers and others share a responsibility to provide adult tobacco consumers with accurate information about the various health risks and comparative risks associated with the use of tobacco and nicotine.

TOBACCO CONSUMERS

• Adult tobacco consumers should consider the conclusions of the Director of Health Services, the Ministry of Health and other public health and medical officials when making decisions regarding smoking.
• Minors should never use tobacco products.
• Adults who smoke should avoid exposing non-smokers including minors to secondhand smoke, and adult smokers should comply with rules and regulations designed to respect the rights of others.

Health Warnings
Health warning labels have been required to appear on all cigarette packages sold in Belize.
The current health warning mandated by the Belize Business Bureau of Standards reads:
The Director of Health Services advises that SMOKING IS DANGEROUS TO HEALTH

Cigarette Ingredients
CTC use of cigarette ingredients is guided by the principle of achieving the desired taste characteristics by using the minimum amount of additives. Tobacco additives have been used in cigarettes throughout the history of cigarette manufacturing. The majority of these ingredients are used to enhance the sensory aspects - including taste and aroma - associated with the smoke, facilitate tobacco processing and cigarette manufacturing, and preserve moisture levels in the finished cigarette. Cigarettes without tobacco additives are not any safer than those with added ingredients. However, the taste characteristics of many tobacco blends that smokers enjoy could not be achieved without adding ingredients to the tobacco. For example, the unique cooling taste of menthol cigarettes is accomplished by adding menthol to the tobacco. Furthermore, the use of additives is essential to the manufacturers' ability to produce cigarette brands that are clearly differentiated from other brands from a taste standpoint. As with any other consumer product, such as foods and beverages, the specific blend and formulas for our brands (the recipes that include the exact amounts of every ingredient) are trade secrets, and we vigorously work to ensure that our competitors do not have access to our formulas.

Smoker Courtesy
Smokers should respectfully avoid exposing non-smokers and minors to second hand smoke. For those adults who choose to relax with tobacco CTC products should be the choice.

For example:

• Adults who smoke should avoid exposing non-smokers including minors to second hand smoke.
• Smokers should be respectful and courteous about where they smoke.
• Smokers should properly dispose of cigarette butts and empty packages to avoid littering.