MINSK, 29 May (BelTA) – The WHO welcomed the development of a draft decree on state regulation of tobacco products and smoking electronic systems, head of the WHO country office in Belarus Batyr Berdyklychev told the media on 29 May, BelTA has learned.
Batyr Berdyklychev noted that the draft document is currently being finalized. “The draft covers the regulation of the production, trafficking and use of electronic systems. This is a progressive step that fully meets the recommendations and the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The adoption of the decree would be a significant step towards reducing tobacco consumption in Belarus," he said.
The draft decree has been posted on the national legal Internet portal for public discussion. Proposals can be sent until 12 June. Following the public discussion the draft will be finalized and duly introduced to the head of state.
According to Deputy Head Physician of the National Center of hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health Lyudmila Naroichik, there is an inflow of proposals. For example people ask to tighten the requirements and, for example, to install a complete smoking ban in catering facilities, like in European countries.
The proposals relate to smoking ban on personal balconies. But the issue is difficult in legal terms, as these are the matters of private property. The solution in this regard can be an agreement between the tenants to make their house a non-smoking area.
World No Tobacco Day is celebrated on 31 May. In anticipation of this day the WHO draws public attention to the threat posed by tobacco for the development of countries throughout the world, and calls upon governments to take tougher measures on tobacco control. These measures include a ban on tobacco advertising and marketing, increasing excise duties and making indoor public premises smoke-free. Many of these measures are implemented at present in Belarus.
More than 7 million people die every year due to tobacco use. Tobacco poses many threats for all people, as well as for national and regional development. About 860 million adult smokers live in low-income and middle-income countries. Numerous studies show that in poor households expenditure on tobacco products often represent more than 10% of total household expenditure.
Among the WHO regions, Europe has the highest prevalence of tobacco smoking among adults (28%). In Belarus, according to the latest data, it is almost 30%. There has been an increase in the prevalence of smoking among women.
