Caretaker Health Minister Michail Okoliyski advocated for an effective smoking ban and restricted influence from the tobacco industry during a roundtable discussion on improving tobacco control. The event, held at BTA’s MaxiM Hall and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Bulgaria, was initiated by the minister. Minister Okoliyski stressed the necessity of implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and related national legislation.
Given the current lack of a functioning parliament for legislative action, he issued a letter to the President, all ministries, and other institutions. This letter proposed two key actions: enforcing existing smoking bans and mitigating tobacco industry interference. He emphasized that such interference is often subtle, noting that the Ministry of Health should not partner with tobacco companies.
He highlighted a discrepancy, pointing out that tobacco use is declining in other EU countries while increasing in Bulgaria, where approximately 40% of the population smokes. The minister expressed concern over high rates among youth and the disproportionately higher smoking rates among girls. Okoliyski attributed these issues to long-standing influence from tobacco interests, which continue through media purchases promoting unverified claims about heated tobacco products.
Furthermore, he noted instances of non-compliance with smoking bans within government buildings. Participants from various organizations reinforced these concerns. They discussed legal loopholes, particularly regarding heated tobacco products, and the need for increased prevention funding.
Experts cited international examples, such as age restrictions for purchasing cigarettes, and reiterated that the WHO Framework Convention requires states to shield public health policies from commercial tobacco industry influence.
Topics: #minister #okoliyski #effective
