Caretaker Health Minister Michail Okoliyski advocated for a comprehensive smoking ban and stricter regulation of the tobacco industry during a roundtable discussion held in BTA’s MaxiM Hall. The event, organized by Minister Okoliyski with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Bulgaria, focused on improving tobacco control and implementing the WHO Framework Convention and relevant Bulgarian legislation. Minister Okoliyski stated that measures are required to enforce the WHO Framework Convention and national laws.
Due to legislative stagnation, a letter was submitted to the President, all ministries, and institutions detailing two key actions: issuing enforceable smoking bans to correct double standards, and mitigating tobacco industry interference. He emphasized that while the use of tobacco products is declining across the EU, it is increasing in Bulgaria, where smoking rates are high, and noted the disproportionate smoking rates among young women. He criticized the persistent influence of the tobacco industry, citing instances where media outlets publish scientifically unverified claims about heated tobacco products.
Furthermore, he pointed out non-compliance with smoking bans within government buildings. Participants highlighted various implementation gaps. Pavel Antonov, from the “Bulgaria Without Smoke” coalition, noted deficiencies in implementing the WHO Framework Convention, particularly concerning legal loopholes for heated tobacco products.
Dr. Gergana Geshanova stressed insufficient prevention funding and the continued influence of advertising for tobacco products and nicotine pouches. The Smoke-Free Coalition reiterated that the Framework Convention mandates protecting public health policies from commercial influence.
Minister Okoliyski’s call underscores the need for an effective, unified approach to tackle these public health challenges.
Topics: #minister #okoliyski #effective
