Skopje, 31 May 2024 (MIA) - On occasion of May 31 – World No Tobacco Day, the Public Health Institute shared data showing that the percentage of active smokers in North Macedonia stands at 45.4 percent, with the percentage of people who had successfully quit smoking in recent years being 5 percent. According to the Institute, this ranks North Macedonia among the countries with the highest percentages of active smokers.

“In 2023, only 43 people showed up at the smoking cessation counseling centers, which function within public health centers nationwide. This is a very low figure, and there is no great interest in smoking cessation among the population,” the Institute stressed.

The Institute underlined that, as one of the biggest and most frequent risk factors among almost all chronic non-infectious diseases, tobacco use seriously contributes to the worsening of the general health of the population.  

“With all its resources, the tobacco industry is successfully fighting the efforts to strengthen the legislation, which is in fact one of the conditions for accession to the European Union. The need to harmonize the legislation with that of the EU is essential for the country’s progress,” the Institute said.

The Institute said that in 2024 it is participating in two surveys related to tobacco use among the youth: ESPAD – European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs, and GYTS – Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

The results of the surveys will be published and available towards the end of the year, it said. 

“The 2024 World No Tobacco Day will provide a platform to young people worldwide who are urging governments to protect them from the predatory marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. The industry is focused on young people to ensure a lifetime of profit, creating a new wave of addiction. The use of electronic cigarette is higher among children than adults in all regions,” the Institute added.

Smoking among young people remains widespread and is growing in certain countries. According to the available data, over 38 million young people aged 13 to 15 use some form of tobacco.  

Photo: MIA Archive/PHI