Coordinator of Tobacco Control Program of the European Regional Bureau of WHO Kristina Mauer-Schtender gave an interview to our correspondent. Meeting in the format of Internet-conference Ashgabat- Copenhagen was held with support of WHO office and Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.
- Every year, nearly six millions of persons all over the world died from effects of tobacco use or influence of tobacco smoke. According to the estimations of World Health Organization, if to do nothing in this regard then by 2030, this number could exceed eight millions. WHO called the tobacco smoking one of the biggest risks for health with which the world countries have been faced. It belongs to the reasons of mortality and morbidity, which can be prevented. It is also possible to fight with success owing to complex of measures on control over tobacco smoking. Several European states established official targets on attainment of status of country free from tobacco in foreseeable terms. So, Scotland plans to reach this status by 2034, Ireland – by 2025, Finland – by 2040.
- Since 2000, Turkmenistan gained outstanding progress in fight against tobacco. It gives a confidence that the goal – achievement by 2025 of the status of country free from tobacco will be reached. It means that only 5 percent of population will be smokers in Turkmenistan.
Several legislative measures have been passed in the country. Among them is the ban since 2000 on smoking in public, the ban since 2003 on smoking in cars, the ban since 2004 on tobacco – nasvai, the ban since 2008 on production, import and spread of nasvai, the law of 2013 on protection of citizens from influence of tobacco smoke and effects connected with use of tobacco. In 2011, Turkmenistan ratified Framework Convention of WHO on tobacco control and then, it was established the National Interdepartmental Coordinating Board on tobacco control urged to coordinate the work in this field at the leading role of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. Committee is authorized to hold monitoring and assessment of implementation of the National Action Plan on tobacco control within 2012-2016, which was passed by the Government of Turkmenistan in 2012.
Vigorous and continuous measures on tobacco control had distinct effect on low level of smokers among elder population of Turkmenistan. National investigation conducted in 2013 confirmed that only 8 percent of elder population of Turkmenistan smoke. It is the lowest level of smokers not only in the European region of WHO, but also all over the world. To the point, among other regions of the world, the European region of WHO has the highest level of smokers – 28 percent.
Every year on May 31, it is observed the Worldwide Day without tobacco, which attract the attention to risks connected with use of tobacco, and promote efficient strategies of decrease of its use. In 2015, its main topic became elimination of illegal trade of tobacco products, which makes the cigarettes more accessible for group of population with low income and for children, as well as increases the level of inequality in the society, including in point of the level of health. Coordinated complex of essential events for decrease of illegal trade includes the international cooperation, strengthening of tax management, increase of level of fulfillment of requirements of the law, as well as immediate and tough punitive measures. The highest priority for all European governments, which ratified the Protocol on elimination of illegal trade of tobacco products, is the increase of income, as well as decrease of deaths and diseases connected with tobacco. Turkmenistan has ratified Protocol, and your country accurately follows its provisions. Leadership of Turkmenistan in this sphere and promotion of elimination of illegal trade of tobacco products can become motivating example for other states.
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Recently, director of department of noncontagious diseases and promotion of health of European Bureau of WHO Dr. Gauden Galea visited our country. He emphasized the leading role of Turkmenistan in holding of effective measures on prevention of not only tobacco smoking, but also other factors of risk of noncontagious diseases. He said that these issues would be reflected in agenda of upcoming in July in Ashgabat of the large international conference devoted to the 20th anniversary of adoption of State “Health” Program. Experts of European Regional Bureau of WHO take an active part in its organization.
- Every year, nearly six millions of persons all over the world died from effects of tobacco use or influence of tobacco smoke. According to the estimations of World Health Organization, if to do nothing in this regard then by 2030, this number could exceed eight millions. WHO called the tobacco smoking one of the biggest risks for health with which the world countries have been faced. It belongs to the reasons of mortality and morbidity, which can be prevented. It is also possible to fight with success owing to complex of measures on control over tobacco smoking. Several European states established official targets on attainment of status of country free from tobacco in foreseeable terms. So, Scotland plans to reach this status by 2034, Ireland – by 2025, Finland – by 2040.
- Since 2000, Turkmenistan gained outstanding progress in fight against tobacco. It gives a confidence that the goal – achievement by 2025 of the status of country free from tobacco will be reached. It means that only 5 percent of population will be smokers in Turkmenistan.
Several legislative measures have been passed in the country. Among them is the ban since 2000 on smoking in public, the ban since 2003 on smoking in cars, the ban since 2004 on tobacco – nasvai, the ban since 2008 on production, import and spread of nasvai, the law of 2013 on protection of citizens from influence of tobacco smoke and effects connected with use of tobacco. In 2011, Turkmenistan ratified Framework Convention of WHO on tobacco control and then, it was established the National Interdepartmental Coordinating Board on tobacco control urged to coordinate the work in this field at the leading role of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. Committee is authorized to hold monitoring and assessment of implementation of the National Action Plan on tobacco control within 2012-2016, which was passed by the Government of Turkmenistan in 2012.
Vigorous and continuous measures on tobacco control had distinct effect on low level of smokers among elder population of Turkmenistan. National investigation conducted in 2013 confirmed that only 8 percent of elder population of Turkmenistan smoke. It is the lowest level of smokers not only in the European region of WHO, but also all over the world. To the point, among other regions of the world, the European region of WHO has the highest level of smokers – 28 percent.
Every year on May 31, it is observed the Worldwide Day without tobacco, which attract the attention to risks connected with use of tobacco, and promote efficient strategies of decrease of its use. In 2015, its main topic became elimination of illegal trade of tobacco products, which makes the cigarettes more accessible for group of population with low income and for children, as well as increases the level of inequality in the society, including in point of the level of health. Coordinated complex of essential events for decrease of illegal trade includes the international cooperation, strengthening of tax management, increase of level of fulfillment of requirements of the law, as well as immediate and tough punitive measures. The highest priority for all European governments, which ratified the Protocol on elimination of illegal trade of tobacco products, is the increase of income, as well as decrease of deaths and diseases connected with tobacco. Turkmenistan has ratified Protocol, and your country accurately follows its provisions. Leadership of Turkmenistan in this sphere and promotion of elimination of illegal trade of tobacco products can become motivating example for other states.
Recently, director of department of noncontagious diseases and promotion of health of European Bureau of WHO Dr. Gauden Galea visited our country. He emphasized the leading role of Turkmenistan in holding of effective measures on prevention of not only tobacco smoking, but also other factors of risk of noncontagious diseases. He said that these issues would be reflected in agenda of upcoming in July in Ashgabat of the large international conference devoted to the 20th anniversary of adoption of State “Health” Program. Experts of European Regional Bureau of WHO take an active part in its organization.
