TODAY.AZ / Society

World marks No Smoking Day

20 November 2014 [20:38] - TODAY.AZ

/AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Firstly established by the American Cancer Society in 1977, International No Smoking Day on November 20 has turned into a yearly event over the past years.

The Day is aimed to help reduce the prevalence of tobacco dependence, involve in the fight against smoking and inform the public about the harmful effects of tobacco on health.

Specialists assure us that the growing price of tobacco products has turned into an effective measure against smoking in the world.

During a recent conference held by the World Health Organization (WHO) on tobacco control, the participants almost unanimously voted to increase the share of excise duty on the cost of a pack of cigarettes to 70 percent (excluding VAT). Azerbaijan may also join this campaign in the future.

Anti-smoking advocates and health experts hailed the recent government proposals that aim to decrease the number of smokers in Azerbaijan.

Musa Guliyev, member of the Parliamentary Committee, has offered to fine people who smoke at home near children and in the doorways of houses.

He underlined the necessity of adopting a law restricting smoking in public places along with the law "On tobacco and tobacco products" which was adopted in Azerbaijan in 2001. Azerbaijan prohibits the sale of cigarettes to minors, according to the law.

Most of the smoking population in Azerbaijan are men. About 50 percent of men in the country smoke daily, 40 percent of them smoke at least one or two packs of 20 cigarettes per day. About 2-10 percent of women in Azerbaijan are also addicted to smoking.

The WHO statistics say that 90 percent of lung cancer, 75 percent of chronic bronchitis and 25 percent of coronary heart disease recorded in the world are caused by smoking.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/society/137606.html

Print version

Views: 4018

Connect with us. Get latest news and updates.

Recommend news to friend

  • Your name:
  • Your e-mail:
  • Friend's name:
  • Friend's e-mail: