On November 21, the first meeting of the newly established council on public health issues took place in Kyiv. This council was formed to implement key measures aimed at developing the public health system in the capital. It was established by the Department of Health under the Order of KMVA № 985.

During the meeting, a strategy aimed at reducing tobacco use and its harmful effects on the health of Kyiv residents by 2025–2030 was approved. This document was jointly developed by the Kyiv City Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the State Consumer Services, and the Department of Health of KMDA. Valentina Hynzburh, the head of the department, reported this.

“Smoking poses a significant threat to the public health of Kyiv residents. According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, smoking is the leading cause of over 60% of all cardiovascular diseases and about 15% of lung cancer deaths in the country,” emphasized Valentina Hynzburh.

She added that the main aim of the strategy is to reduce smoking rates among adults and children by 30% by 2030, as well as to create a smoke-free environment in public spaces.

To achieve these goals, it is planned to engage various state authorities, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, research organizations, and NGOs. Relevant decisions were made during the council meeting.

In addition to approving the strategy, the meeting also addressed the state of immunization in Kyiv, as well as issues related to the diagnosis, prevention, and eradication of zoonotic diseases, including rabies.