Issues Belarus

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of Belarus. Every year, more than 17700 of its people are killed bytobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 15000 children (10-14 years old) and 1767000 adults (15+ years old) continue touse tobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in Belarus andensures that tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communitiesand resources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

39.6%More men smoke in Belarus than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Female

6.4%More women smoke in Belarus than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

4.53%More boys smoke in Belarus than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Girls

2.97%More girls smoke in Belarus than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

25.08%More men die in Belarus than on averagein high-HDI countries.

Female

4.33%Even though fewer women die fromtobacco in Belarus than on average inhigh-HDI countries, tobacco still kills 50women every week, necessitating actionfrom policymakers.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in Belarus amounts to14975636 million ruble. This includes direct costs relatedto healthcare expenditures and indirect costs related tolost productivity due to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

n/a n/a

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, 666%larger than the Gross National Income of Belarus. Theindustry is a powerful force that does not fear the actionsof nation-states because of their extensive resources andglobal market power.

Growing

n/a

Production

There were 30.83 billion cigarettesproduced in Belarus in 2016.

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Solutions Belarus

Current Policy in BelarusProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Belarus

34.24%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice

Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered)

National Quitline Yes

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Graphic

Percent of Pack Covered 50%

Plain Packaging No

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience n/a

Target Audience Research Was Conducted Yes

Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes

Utilized Media Planning Yes

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign Yes

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation Yes

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness Yes

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

6/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

3/10possible bans

Ad Ban CompliancePercent

High

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• International magazinesand newspapers• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Free distribution in mail or through other means• Promotional discounts• Non-tobacco products identified with tobacco brand names

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