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<\/p>\nDespite the initial success with the implementation of most of the WHO FCTC tobacco control provisions across the region, smoking remains a pressing health concern for citizens in Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkey, and other countries in the region.<\/p>\n
These issues were at the forefront discussions during the forum on the New Approaches to tobacco control organized by the NGO “Healthy Initiatives” in Prague on February 14-15. The event brought together healthcare professionals, public health and economic experts and scientists from eight countries to present their perspective, discuss challenges and opportunities and present the research with a purpose to combat smoking epidemic.<\/p>\n
Cliff Douglas, the President and CEO for the Foundation for a Smoke Free World reiterated how high the stakes are with smoking remaining the leading cause of preventable deaths globally. He also provided insights on the groundbreaking changes to occur if people who smoke start getting help in smoking cessation, making healthier choices and saving lives.<\/p>\n
Across these countries, high rates of smoking persist, particularly among male population, with up to 50% of adult men identified as people who smoke daily.<\/p>\n
Common policies in those countries include equalization of all regulations on conventional cigarettes and harm-reduction products along with the limited support for smokers seeking to quit or a complete lack of smoking cessation programs. There is a heavy focus on protecting the health of next generation while completely overlooking the needs of adult chain smokers trying to quit.<\/p>\n
Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine and this ongoing war in the middle of Europe also exacerbates psychological distress among smokers throughout the whole region, contributing to the development of addictions and unhealthy behaviours.<\/p>\n
During the round table, experts presented research conducted across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including scenario forecasts of morbidity and mortality based on tobacco restriction decisions, strategies to combat illegal trade’s impact on smoking, analysis of smoking trends and the use of less harmful products, and the correlation between mental health and tobacco control efforts.<\/p>\n
Economists relied on local statistical studies and research from reputable American universities, such as Cornell University and Yale University, to forecast consumer behavior and the health consequences of smoking. The findings presented are supported by publications in authoritative scientific journals.<\/p>\n
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Despite the initial success with the implementation of most of the WHO FCTC tobacco control provisions across the region, smoking remains a pressing health concern for Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkey, etc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":120,"template":"","class_list":["post-119","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hi-ua.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hi-ua.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hi-ua.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/hi-ua.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/119\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":125,"href":"https:\/\/hi-ua.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/119\/revisions\/125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hi-ua.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hi-ua.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}