Moldovan health ministry launches anti-smoking campaign

Chisinau, 25 May /MOLDPRES/ – Campaign "Moldova is getting out of smoke. A Year of Success and Challenges" was launched by the Health Ministry (MS), Internal Affairs Ministry (MAI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) today.

The action is dedicated to the World No Tobacco Day, marked each year on 31 May, and will be held nationwide on 25 – 31 May.

During the campaign, there are to be carried out visits to public places, as well as numerous actions to promote healthy lifestyles. Also, many public health specialists will get rewards for their tobacco control results.

According to the National Public Health Center (CNSP), following the entry into force of the Anti-tobacco Act – on 31 May 2016, the number of chronic patients who requested healthcare in the Republican hospitals decreased by about 10 per cent, from 8500 to 7600 patients. Similarly, there has been a reduction in the rate of complaints from people suffering from ischemic heart disease and chronic bronchitis. In these cases, fewer than 700 patients were registered.

Similarly, according to MAI data, there were imposed fines for exceeding the provisions of the Law on anti-tobacco in a total amount of over seven million lei, of which only about 2 million lei were paid. Most fines were imposed in Chisinau.

In Moldova smoke 48.5 per cent of men and 8.2 per cent of women. This vice is spread among 10.4 per cent of teenagers aged 13-15. Also, statistical data show that about 6,000 Moldovans die annually because of smoking-related illnesses, and over 60 per cent of them die early, at an able-bodied age.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor M. Jantovan)