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12 April 2016, 15:38

WHO praises Belarus' progress in tobacco control

MINSK, 12 April (BelTA) – The World Health Organization (WHO) commends Belarus' progress in tobacco control, Lars Moller, Program Manager at the Division of Non-communicable Diseases and Life-Course of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, said at a press conference, BelTA has learned.

An assessment mission of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control visited Belarus in 2015. Lars Moller said that the final report of the WHO specialists was quite positive overall. The document emphasizes Belarus' progress in tobacco control, including in terms of the efforts to restrict advertising and promotion of tobacco products and ban the display of cigarettes in retail stores. WHO also praised the results of the large-scale anti-tobacco media campaign in Belarus.

However, Lars Moller believes that Belarus has potential for reducing the number of smokers. For example, smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants, should be completely banned. This will help protect the staff and non-smoking visitors from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. The experience of many countries shows that such restrictions do not lead to a reduction in visitor numbers. In fact, it is quite the opposite as people start to come with their families and children.

The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization is the first legal instrument designed to reduce tobacco-related deaths around the world. The document establishes international minimum standards with respect to such issues as tobacco advertising, sponsorship, tax and price policies, packaging and marking of tobacco goods, illicit trade and fight against passive smoking. The FCTC standards serve as guidelines for developing national laws and regulations.

Belarus ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005.

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