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Panama reduces tobacco use, but warns of rising vape use among youth
🇵🇦 Panama /Health & Science

Panama reduces tobacco use, but warns of rising vape use among youth

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Panama has seen a decrease in tobacco consumption, with only 5% of the population now using tobacco products.
  • Health officials are warning about a rise in the use of e-cigarettes and vapes, particularly among young people.
  • Despite a drop in daily smokers, occasional smoking has increased, and health authorities are urging continued prevention efforts.

Panama is making progress in reducing tobacco use, with a recent national survey revealing that 95% of respondents do not consume tobacco products. The prevalence of tobacco use has declined from 6.4% in 2013 to 5% in 2025. While the number of daily smokers has decreased, indicating reduced addiction, there has been an increase in occasional smokers.

They cause more damage, and the damage is irreversible.

— Fernando Boyd GalindoHealth Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo warned about the severe health risks of e-cigarettes and vapes.

Despite these positive trends, Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo expressed serious concern over the growing popularity of e-cigarettes and vapes, especially among youth. He cautioned against the misconception that these alternative products are less harmful, stating, "They cause more damage, and the damage is irreversible." Boyd Galindo stressed the critical need for public awareness regarding the severe health risks associated with these devices, emphasizing, "Vapes cause a lot of damage."

Reyna Roa of the Ministry of Health's National Commission for the Prevention and Control of Smoking reported that approximately 146,000 people in Panama currently smoke. The survey, conducted among individuals aged 15 and older, identified higher tobacco consumption rates in the Panama Center region and indigenous territories (comarcas). The data also showed that men consume more tobacco than women.

Vapes cause a lot of damage.

— Fernando Boyd GalindoHealth Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo emphasized the harmful effects of vaping devices.

Health authorities have reiterated the link between tobacco use and chronic illnesses, including lung and heart problems, as well as diabetes. The Ministry of Health is calling for strengthened prevention strategies and awareness campaigns to further curb the consumption of both traditional tobacco and newer vaping products.

The number of smokers has decreased, certainly. The important thing is that we have managed to decrease the number of daily smokers, which indicates lower addiction and an increase in occasional smokers.

— Reyna RoaReyna Roa of the Ministry of Health highlighted the shift towards less frequent smoking patterns.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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