Almost 3,500 Moldovan tobacco addicts treated last year

Chisinau, 30 May /MOLDPRES/- In 2017, 3,491 tobacco addicts received treatment at the Republican Narcology Dispensary, and 31716 got medical advice to quit smoking. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection made public the data on the World No Tobacco Day, which was celebrated yesterday.

According to the data, last year, over 156,000 Moldovans received anti-smoking counseling from family doctors.

Tobacco consumption is the most serious public health problem worldwide, producing more victims per year than AIDS, alcohol abuse, drugs, traffic accidents and suicide, and is one of the top causes of death. The tobacco consumption epidemic causes more than seven million deaths annually worldwide.

Due to smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke, the incidence of non-transmissible diseases, such as: cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive respiratory disease,  increases in Moldova. At the same time, the incidence of cancer in the country increased by 1.4 times over the past 10 years.

In this context, on 28-31 May, patient information counseling sessions, public and individual discussions are organized and conducted in all republican, municipal and district healthcare institutions to inform about the risks of smoking for heart health and the importance of quitting smoking.

To seek help in quitting smoking, citizens can call the Green Line at 080010001, and if the right to a smoking free environment in public places is violated – at 080012300. All calls are free of charge.

(Reporter A. Zara, editor A. Răileanu)