Join us on Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:00 a.m. (Washington, D.C. or EST time) for the event "Women and Tobacco: A History of Health Risks and Social Inequalities," organized in partnership with Tabaconomía, Adolfo Ibáñez University (UAI), and the Healthy Americas Coalition (CLAS).
The event aims to highlight the differentiated impact of smoking on women in Latin America and the Caribbean, analyze the gender inequalities that exacerbate its effects on health, the economy, and caregiving, and expose the tobacco industry's tactics specifically targeting women and girls. It also seeks to promote the design and implementation of tobacco control policies with a gender and human rights approach, strengthen women's leadership in the regional response, and build consensus to move towards more equitable, healthy societies free from industry interference.
RECORDING
How to participate
- Date: December 3, 2025
- Time: 10:00 a.m. (EST or Washington, D.C.)
- Languages: Spanish and English (with simultaneous interpretation in both languages)
- Register here: https://paho-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AC4lD2r9Tq-1F8B9A6EGQg#/registration
Agenda
10:00 a.m. Opening Remarks
Rosa Sandoval, Regional Advisor, Tobacco Control, PAHO/WHO
10:05 a.m. The Tobacco Epidemic: Facts and Figures
Reina Roa, Ministry of Health of Panama
10:20 a.m. Panel Discussion
Tobacco and Gender
Laura Llambí, Ministry of Health of Uruguay
Economic Impact of Tobacco: The Role of Women Caregivers, Education, and Work
Constanza Garín, Tobacco Economics, Adolfo Ibáñez University
Tobacco Industry Marketing Strategies: Young Women in the Spotlight
Andrea Herrera, Young Activist
Tobacco Control, Women, and Human Rights
Berenice Cerra, Technical Officer, Tobacco Control-PAHO/WHO
11:00 a.m. Questions and Answers
11:10 a.m. International Women's Network Against Tobacco (INWAT)
Beatriz Champagne, Director, Healthy America Coalition/INWAT
11:20 a.m. Women's Leadership in Tobacco Control
Patricia Sosa, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Context
Tobacco use remains a critical public health challenge in Latin America and the Caribbean, with distinct effects on women. Although the prevalence of tobacco use is generally lower than among men, a feminization of the smoking epidemic has been observed in the Americas. The Americas is one of the regions with the smallest difference in tobacco use prevalence between men and women, with a ratio of 2.1 men for every woman smoker, compared to 4.9 globally. In some countries, tobacco use among young people has even been found to be at least as prevalent as it is among men.
Despite the progress made globally, women face specific difficulties related to social, economic, and political inequalities. Understanding these dimensions is key to designing tobacco control policies with a gender and equity focus.
Time in other cities
- 7:00 am – Los Angeles, Vancouver
- 9:00 am – Belmopan, Guatemala City, Managua, Mexico City, San Salvador, San José (Costa Rica), Tegucigalpa
- 10:00 am – Bogotá, Havana, Kingston, Lima, Port-au-Prince, Nassau, Ottawa, Panama City, Quito, Washington, D.C.
- 11:00 am – Bridgetown, Caracas, Castries, Georgetown, La Paz, Port of Spain, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Saint George's, Saint John's
- 12:00 pm – Asunción, Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Montevideo, Paramaribo, Santiago
- 4:00 pm – Geneva, Madrid
For other cities, please check the local time at this link.