Public health officials in western Panama are raising red flags. A new survey from 2025 reveals that 7.2% of residents in Chiriqui Province now use tobacco or nicotine products. That number might sound small. But it represents a troubling jump from the 6.4% recorded in 2013. The Panama Ministry of Health is taking notice.
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Maria Juanita Castillo leads the regional Health Promotion office. She didn’t mince words about the situation.
‘We need to strengthen prevention and awareness actions to fight this addiction and reduce its impact on public health’ [Translated from Spanish]
Her call to action comes as data shows Chiriqui outperforming other regions in tobacco consumption rates. That’s not a good thing.
Border Proximity and Policy Gaps
Why is Chiriqui seeing this uptick? Health authorities point to a key factor. The province shares a porous border with Costa Rica. This geographical reality makes it harder to control the flow of cigarettes and nicotine products. It also complicates enforcement of existing regulations.
Castillo specifically asked regulatory and commercial institutions to step up their game. She wants stricter controls on how cigarettes and nicotine products reach consumers. The tobacco consumption prevalence Panama data suggests that current measures aren’t working well enough.
The numbers tell a clear story. Chiriqui now leads the country in smoking rates compared to other provinces and indigenous territories. That’s a dramatic shift. And it’s one that demands immediate attention from policymakers.
Community Response and Education
Something concrete is happening next week. Health officials have scheduled a seminar at the regional Ministry of Health headquarters. The meeting will bring together representatives from several districts. David, Dolega, Gualaca and Baru are all sending delegates.
These community health committees will hash out strategies. Their goal is straightforward. Find better ways to prevent smoking and enforce existing anti-tobacco laws. The seminar represents a ground-level approach to a complex problem.
Panama’s overall public health picture has improved in many areas over the past decade. But this smoking trend threatens to undo some of that progress. The 2025 survey data serves as a warning. Without stronger intervention, rates could climb even higher.
The Ministry of Health isn’t just talking. They’re organizing. They’re gathering data. They’re bringing local leaders to the table. Whether that will be enough to reverse the trend remains to be seen. But one thing is certain. Chiriqui’s smoking problem isn’t going away on its own.