Increased anti-smoking restrictions allowed for a 36% reduction in the prevalence of smoking within 12 years

Ukraine ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2006, so it has 17 years of stable smoking control. This was stated by Ihor Kuzin, Deputy Minister of Health – chief state sanitary doctor, during a round table discussion on the state of compliance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine No. 2899-IV. 

“Data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine show that from 2008 to 2020, the prevalence of smoking among the population aged 12 and over decreased by 36%. This is proof that the anti-smoking vector is chosen correctly. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen efforts to prevent smoking among minors. According to WHO forecasts, by 2025 we should have achieved a reduction in the prevalence of tobacco use by another 25.9 %, but we understand that due to a full-scale war, most likely, we will not achieve this figure. Therefore, our task is to take all possible measures to prevent a rollback of our progress,” Ihor Kuzin stressed.

The already existing positive dynamics are the result of compliance with the requirements of the convention and the adoption of important strategic decisions: an increase in excise taxes on tobacco products, a complete ban on smoking in public places, as well as a ban on advertising tobacco products.

Ukraine has a seven-year plan to increase the tax on tobacco products until 2024. Such a tax policy is generally recognized in the world as the best practice. In addition, the Verkhovna Rada in 2020 adjusted the level of taxation of tobacco products for electric heating to the level of ordinary cigarettes and introduced taxes on nicotine. In 2020, the tobacco market in Ukraine decreased by 10-12% due to an increase in tax rates.

In December 2022, anti-smoking restrictions were tightened: heating devices are equated to cigarettes, flavored cigarettes are prohibited, and advertising of smoking devices is prohibited. In addition, it is prohibited to smoke tobacco heating devices on a par with cigarettes, hookahs and e-cigarettes in transport, bars, restaurants, train stations, educational and work areas, and other common areas.

An important component of the fight against tobacco use is informing people about the dangers of smoking. What is meant here is, in particular, labeling packs of cigarettes. Ukraine introduced it in 2012 and joined 42 countries doing the same. However, the Ministry of Health is currently completing the process of implementing European Commission directive 40/2014, so it is updating the labeling as part of this work.

“We have done a lot of work to collect the necessary number of graphic sets of medical warnings (text and illustrative) for packs of tobacco products, appealed to all progressive countries. Among the results obtained, we chose those that showed the best efficiency in other countries. As a result, the final version included graphic sets from the following countries: Canada, Australia and Thailand, as well as two non-governmental organizations: “Vital Strategy” and “Tobacco-Free Kids”. Therefore, we have the necessary number of options for labeling packs and will approve them in the near future,” the deputy minister stressed.

Since 2012, most forms of advertising of tobacco products have been banned in Ukraine, but the so-called tobacco display - demonstration of products at points of sale - has not been regulated. This created risks that children and adolescents may become more involved in smoking if they constantly see such ads. In addition, advertising of vapes and electronic cigarettes was not regulated. 

According to Ihor Kuzin, the consumption of electronic cigarettes by children aged 13-15 years is 18.2% – and this is a very large figure. Therefore, from July 2023, a provision of the law prohibiting advertising of e-cigarettes and tobacco heating devices will come into force.

An extremely important component of the fight against tobacco use is the control of violations of the law. However, the implementation of planned and unscheduled state control measures has been suspended due to the introduction of a legal regime of martial law. Such events can be carried out by a separate decision of the central authorities in certain areas, if we are talking about a threat to public health.

To launch this mechanism, on 17 March 2023, the Ministry of Health approved the order “List of grounds for implementing unscheduled measures of state supervision/control in the field of legislation on the prevention and reduction of tobacco products for the period of martial law”. This order has already been sent to the Ministry of Justice for official registration.

In addition, on 24 March 2023, the government adopted amendments to Regulation No. 183 "On approval of criteria for assessing the degree of risk from carrying out economic activities in the field of preventing and reducing the use of tobacco products and their harmful impact on public health". 

Consequently, the relevant authorities will soon have legal levers to strengthen control over the turnover of tobacco products.

For reference:

The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control includes six main blocks around which each state should focus its actions and form policies to fight tobacco use: monitoring tobacco use; protecting people from exposure to tobacco products; helping smokers quit; warning about the dangers of tobacco products; banning advertising and promoting smoking; and raising taxes for the tobacco industry.