The increase in the number of smokers, the appeal of the expert: Restrictions can bring negative effects
2024-11-04 12:31:57
TiranaPost
The number of smokers in the Republic of Moldova continues to increase despite the restrictive measures imposed by the authorities. Forecasts by the World Health Organization show that Moldova is the only country in the European region where a continuous increase in smokers is predicted in the coming years.
Recently, the Ministry of Health approved a new amendment to the Law on Tobacco Control, with the aim of strengthening restrictions on smoking in public spaces, banning the promotion of smoke-free products, as well as limiting the sale of nicotine sachets in the market . Experts warn that restrictive laws can have negative consequences.
"Restrictions do not give results, on the contrary, they create more problems. If a product is not available legally, consumers will turn to the illegal market, causing the authorities to lose control over the production chain, quality standards and fiscal revenues,” said Riccardo Polosa, Professor of Medicine of Interior at the University of Catania.
International experts emphasize that, in addition to the current policies for tobacco control, the authorities should integrate the principles of the harm reduction strategy, providing information about smoke-free products to smokers.
"We, medical professionals, have a responsibility to provide accurate information. We need to talk not only about the risks, but also about the benefits. We need better communication, fact-based information, that is unbiased," added Polosa.
Italian professor Riccardo Polosa noted that countries that have incorporated harm reduction strategies into anti-smoking policies have achieved significant improvements in public health. Such examples include New Zealand, Great Britain and Iceland, which provide access to smoke-free products for smokers. He also mentioned the Scandinavian countries, where the tobacco consumption rate is close to 5%, thanks to their access to alternative products. We recall that the smoking rate at the level of 5% makes a country considered a smoke-free country.
"Nicotine, practically without risk, does not burn and does not contain carcinogenic substances," concluded Polosa.
In the Republic of Moldova, it is estimated that over 5,200 people (about 14%) die every year due to active and passive smoking. Moreover, a quarter of the country's population actively consumes tobacco.
