Gov't to support smoking quitters
By Rashid Shirinov
The government of Azerbaijan will assist everyone wishing to quit smoking.
The issue was reflected in the bill “On restriction of tobacco consumption”, the Parliament’s press service told Trend on October 25.
The bill stipulates a free medical aid at state, municipal and private medical institutions on the basis of a special government program for those wishing to give up smoking.
The draft law also touches upon the prohibition of sale of tobacco products to children and adolescents. In addition, it envisages encouraging of non-smoking and prohibition of smoking in many enclosed spaces.
Earlier it was reported that a medical consultation center for quitting smoking and a hotline will operate at the Pubic Healthcare Center and the Health Ministry in Azerbaijan from next month. This project will be implemented in accordance with the “Strategy to Combat Non-communicable Diseases in Azerbaijan in 2015-2020”.
Majority of the smoking population in Azerbaijan are men. Some 40-60 percent of men, and up to 10 percent of women in Azerbaijan are smokers. Almost 50 percent of men smoke daily, while 40 percent of them smoke at least one or two packs of 20 cigarettes per day.
Some children are also smoke-addicts, but that is not that widespread in the country.
Advertisement of tobacco and tobacco products, including smoking pipes, electronic cigarettes, hookahs, paper for cigarettes and lighters, is also prohibited in the country due to serious diseases triggered by smoking.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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