Abstract
Tobacco use remains one of the leading public health challenges in the Americas, responsible for more than one million deaths annually. Despite well-established evidence on its harmful effects and the effectiveness of preventive strategies, progress has been limited. This article discusses the main approaches to reduce tobacco consumption, highlighting three key pillars: tax policies that increase product prices, comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising and promotion, and the implementation of smoke-free environments in public and workplace settings. Evidence shows that raising taxes can significantly reduce prevalence, especially among youth and low-income populations. Advertising restrictions, when comprehensive, effectively decrease smoking initiation and maintenance, while partial bans have little to no impact. Smoke-free policies not only protect non-smokers from secondhand exposure but also contribute to cultural changes that discourage smoking. Additionally, tobacco control measures do not result in substantial economic losses, since reduced spending on cigarettes is offset by increased consumption in other sectors. It is concluded that the simultaneous implementation of these strategies, combined with the strengthening of public health policies, is essential to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco use in the region.