Caretaker Health Minister Michail Okoliyski addressed the need for stricter tobacco control measures during a roundtable discussion held in BTA’s MaxiM Hall. The event, initiated by the minister and supported by 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 emphasized the necessity of implementing the WHO Framework Convention and associated national laws.
Given the current lack of a functioning parliament to initiate legislation, a formal letter was submitted to the President, all ministries, and other institutions. This communication outlines two key actions: first, enforcing genuinely enforceable smoking bans to end double standards, as smoking is already prohibited by law; and second, mitigating the influence of the tobacco industry. He stressed that such interference is often subtle, noting that the Ministry of Health should not partner with tobacco companies.
He highlighted a concerning trend, observing that while tobacco use is declining in other EU countries, it is increasing in Bulgaria, with an estimated 40% of the population smoking. Minister Okoliyski expressed concern over the prevalence of smoking among young people and the higher smoking rates among girls compared to boys. Experts present, including Pavel Antonov of “Bulgaria Without Smoke,” noted implementation gaps in the Framework Convention’s provisions, particularly regarding heated tobacco products.
Other speakers raised concerns about insufficient prevention funding, continued industry advertising, and the allowance of tobacco industry sponsorship. The discussion underscored the need for robust measures to protect public health policies from commercial influence, a core tenet of the WHO Framework Convention.
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