Developing a responsible attitude towards personal health should start in childhood. This topic was discussed today, November 21, during a press briefing dedicated to the International Day of No Smoking.
«Smoking poses a significant threat to public health. It is associated with about 130,000 deaths annually in Ukraine. According to the Kyiv statistics office, 17% of residents aged 12 and older are regular smokers. Of these, a third has been smoking for over 10 years, and 45% consume up to 10 cigarettes a day. Adolescent smoking has also become a growing concern in recent years,» stated Serhiy Chumak, the chief sanitary doctor of Kyiv.
He noted that a pilot project called the "School Without Nicotine" has been launched in the city, along with initiatives such as «How to Quit Smoking» and «Stop Smoking». Additionally, educational institutions in the capital are conducting activities aimed at combating smoking.
«Fostering a sense of responsibility for one’s health and the health of those around is one of the main goals of educational institutions. Continuous educational and awareness-raising efforts are underway. Lessons include discussions about the harmful effects of tobacco. Lectures, talks, and workshops are facilitated by professionals, including medical staff and representatives of NGOs. This work is conducted not only with children but also with adults. Parents are informed about the necessity for their children to be in an environment that discourages tobacco and alcohol use,» shared Oleksandr Serhiev, the chief specialist of the Department of Extracurricular Education of the Kyiv City State Administration.
He also thanked everyone who assists educators in carrying out activities to combat smoking in schools.
«Currently, there is a complete ban on smoking and shisha in public catering establishments in the capital. The State Food Safety Service monitors compliance with legislation on smoking prevention. This year, 68 monitoring activities have been conducted, revealing violations in 50 establishments, which accounts for 78%. As a result, fines exceeding 4.5 million UAH have been imposed. We will continue this work,» reported Oleg Ruban, head of the Main Department of the State Food Safety Service in Kyiv.
As a reminder, a project for the Tobacco Control Strategy for 2025-2030 has been approved in the capital. The main goal of this strategy is to reduce smoking rates among adults and children by 30% by 2030 and create a «smoke-free» environment, particularly in public spaces.
