Smoking cessation medications and cigarettes in Guatemala pharmacies
Date
2011-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ
Abstract
Background Guatemala, a party to the Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), is obliged to
promote the wider availability of smoking cessation
treatment and to restrict tobacco advertising.
Pharmacies are fundamental in providing smoking
cessation medications but also might increase the
availability of cigarettes.
Purpose To assess availability of cessation medications
and cigarettes and their corresponding advertising in
Guatemala pharmacies.
Methods In Guatemala City a representative sample
was selected from a list of registered pharmacies
classified by type (non-profit, chain, independent). In
addition, all pharmacies in the neighbouring town of
Antigua were included for comparison. Trained surveyors
used a checklist to characterise each pharmacy with
respect to availability and advertising of cessation
medications and cigarettes. Results A total of 505 pharmacies were evaluated.
Cessation medications were available in 115 (22.8%),
while cigarettes were available in 29 (5.7%) pharmacies.
When available, medications were advertised in 1.7% (2)
and cigarettes in 72.4% (21) of pharmacies. Chain
pharmacies were significantly more likely to sell
cessation medications and cigarettes, and to advertise
cigarettes than were non-profit and independent
pharmacies.
Conclusion Most pharmacies in Guatemala do not stock
cessation medications or cigarettes. Cigarette
advertising was more prevalent than advertising for
cessation medications. FCTC provisions have not been
implemented in Guatemala pharmacies.
Description
item.page.type
Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
item.page.format
Text
Keywords
GUATEMALA, SMOKING CESSATION, CIGARETTES, TOBACCO CONTROL, PHARMACIES, GOVERNMENT POLICY, PHARMACEUTICALS
Citation
Viteri, E., Barnoya, J., Suchanek Hudmon, K., & Solorzano, P.J. (2012). Smoking cessation medications and cigarettes in Guatemala pharmacies. Tobacco Control, 21, 477-481. doi:10.1136/tc.2011.044040