Particular concern is raised by data on women and youth, where especially negative trends are observed.
This region is home to over 40% of the world's smoking women — about 62 million. Among adolescents aged 13-15, there is also a high prevalence of smoking, especially among girls.
In Europe, about 4 million adolescents aged 13-15 use tobacco products. As for electronic cigarettes, the European region of WHO records the highest level of their use among adolescents in the world — 14.3%. The difference between the rates for boys and girls is virtually negligible.
Despite having a solid foundation for combating tobacco, the market for nicotine-containing products is rapidly evolving, and policies in this area do not always keep pace with new conditions.
"Tobacco consumption in the European region is responsible for more than 1.1 million deaths from non-communicable diseases each year. If we do not strengthen our efforts, by 2030 we will remain the worst region in the world in these indicators," noted Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Comprehensive laws banning smoking in public places are in effect in only 18 out of 53 countries, and nationwide quitline services exist in only 12 states. A complete ban on advertising and promotion of tobacco products has been implemented in only 13 countries.
In 19 countries, the cost of cigarettes today is lower than it was in 2014.
It is also worth noting that regulation of electronic cigarettes and new nicotine products remains fragmented, which reduces the effectiveness of tobacco control efforts.
WHO calls on states to address these shortcomings by fulfilling their obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, strengthening enforcement, and ensuring oversight of new and newly emerging tobacco and nicotine products on the market.
In Kyrgyzstan, a national quitline has been operating since 2016 at the number 2103. It is anonymous: from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, operators answer calls, and at other times, an answering machine is available. Additionally, an online information center Help.kg is accessible.
