Particularly alarming is the situation among youth and women, with troubling trends that require attention.
In this region, more than 40% of all smoking women in the world reside, amounting to approximately 62 million people.
The highest smoking rates among girls aged 13-15 are also observed in this region.
In total, about 4 million adolescents aged 13-15 in Europe use tobacco.
The situation with electronic cigarettes is even more threatening: according to WHO, Europe has the highest level of e-cigarette use among adolescents, at 14.3%. The rates among boys and girls are almost equal.
Despite having a solid foundation for combating tobacco, the market for nicotine-containing products is rapidly growing, and government measures often lag behind these changes.
“Tobacco use leads to more than 1.1 million deaths from non-communicable diseases annually in the European region. If we do not intensify our efforts, by 2030 we will remain the region with the worst indicators in the world,” said Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Only 18 out of 53 countries in the region have comprehensive laws banning smoking in public places. National programs to assist in quitting smoking are funded in only 12 countries, and a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising is in effect in only 13 countries.
Read more on the topic Every tenth boy in Kyrgyzstan smokes regularly — WHO
In 19 countries, the price of cigarettes today is lower than in 2014.
Regulation of electronic cigarettes and new nicotine products remains inconsistent, which reduces the effectiveness of anti-smoking measures.
WHO calls on governments to address existing gaps, fulfill commitments under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, strengthen enforcement measures, and expand oversight of new tobacco and nicotine-based products.
It is worth noting that in Kyrgyzstan, a national helpline for those who want to quit smoking has been operating since 2016. It is available at 2103 and operates anonymously. Operators answer calls from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and at other times, there is an answering machine. An online help center, Help.kg, is also available.
