Instilling a responsible attitude towards personal health should start from an early age. This was discussed on November 21 during a press briefing dedicated to International No Smoking Day.
“Smoking poses a significant threat to public health. It is linked to approximately 130,000 deaths each year in Ukraine. According to statistics from Kyiv, 17% of residents aged 12 and older are regular smokers. Of these, a third have been smoking for over 10 years, and another 45% consume up to 10 cigarettes a day. Teenage smoking has also become a serious issue in recent years,” stated Serhiy Chumak, the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Kyiv.
To tackle the smoking problem in the city, a pilot project called the "Nicotine-Free School" has been launched, along with platforms like "How to Quit Smoking" and "Stop Smoking." Additionally, educational institutions in the capital are conducting anti-smoking activities.
“Instilling a responsible attitude towards one's health and the health of those around is one of the primary tasks of educational institutions. Therefore, ongoing explanatory and educational work is conducted. For instance, lessons cover the harmful effects of tobacco. Lectures, discussions, and training sessions are held with the participation of involved specialists, including healthcare workers and representatives from public organizations. This work is carried out not only with children but also with adults, informing parents about ensuring their children are in environments that do not encourage tobacco and alcohol use,” explained Oleksandr Serhiev, a chief specialist in the Department of Extracurricular Education.
He also expressed gratitude to everyone who assists educators in conducting anti-smoking activities in schools.
“Currently, there is a complete ban on smoking and shisha in public catering establishments in the capital. The State Consumer Service monitors compliance with legislation on smoking prevention. This year, 68 inspections have been conducted, revealing violations in 78% of subjects. As a result, fines exceeding 4.5 million UAH have been imposed. We will continue this work,” reported Oleg Ruban, head of the Main Department of the State Consumer Service in Kyiv.
It is worth noting that the capital has approved a new Tobacco Control Strategy for 2025-2030, aiming to reduce smoking rates among adults and children by 30% by 2030.
