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TOBACCO CONTROL IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Prof. Dr SneProf. Dr Snežžana ana SimiSimiććSchool of MedicineSchool of MedicineBelgrade UniversityBelgrade UniversityandandDr Oliver PetroviDr Oliver PetroviććUNICEF – BelgradeUNICEF – BelgradeRepublic of SerbiaRepublic of Serbia

ACTIVITY PANEL –The Role of Public Health Association in Tobacco Control: Lessons LearnedXI WORLD CONGRESS ON PUBLIC

HEALTH21-25 August, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Where do We come from?

Republic of Slovenia (6)Republic of Croatia (2)

Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1)Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) (3)

Republic ofMontenegro (4)

Republic of Serbia (5):

BELGRADEwww.beograd.org.yu

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The Burden of Disease and Injury in Serbia (without Kosovo)

Tobacco smoking is the risk factor responsible for the largest burden, followed by hypertension, physical inactivity and obesity – those risk factors are responsible for 45% of the mortality burden in Serbia.

Source: www.sbds.sr.gov.yu

Every second adult men (48%), and

every third women (33.6%) in

Republic of Serbia are smokers (Health survey,

2000)

Serbian Global Youth Tobacco Survey:

- 16.3% students currently smoke,- 7% are daily smokers (7.1% boys and 6.6% girls)- 97.4% live in homes where others smoke- 70.9% have one or both parents who smoke

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TOBACCO CONTROL ACTIVITIES IN SERBIA

National Commission for smoking prevention Public performances for National non-smoking day

(January 31st) and World non-smoking day (May 31st)

Serbia signed FCTC in June 2004 and ratified in December 2005.

Global Youth Tobacco Survey and Professional Tobacco Survey (pilot)

Development of modern legislation Strategy for Tobacco Control of

the Republic of Serbia, draft, December 2005. Network of individual and group counseling for

smoking cessation in health care institutions International cooperation and support in tobacco

control – CPHA, EU/EAR, WHO and others Governmental Council for Tobacco Control

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PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF SERBIA – established with support of Canadian Public Health Association-

CPHA500 public health professionalswere present at October 2003. meeting in Belgrade

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Partnership of Serbian Public Health Association with Governmentand International partners (CPHA)in Tobacco Control Financial support Joint activities – Street performances Promoting materials: spots, posters,

billboards… Workshops, conferences, training… Development of strategies, political

documents, legislative framework… Mobilization of communities and ….

European Agency forReconstruction - EAR

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LIFLETS, POSTERS, PROMOTING MATERIALS

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NATIONAL NON-SMOKING DAY (January 31st)WORLD NON-SMOKING DAY (May 31st )

Street performances“ More vitamins – less nicotine”

Yrs:2003200420052006

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STRATEGY FOR TOBACCO CONTROL OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA –

draft, December 2005.

General goal of Strategy is to provide framework for implementation of tobacco control measures to promote health of the Republic of Serbia citizens and to protect them from harmful effects of smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke.

Quantitative goals are:1. Prevalence of smoking

decreasing for 1% in adolescent and 2% in adults per year;

2. Increasing of tobacco quit rate for 2% per year; and

3. Increasing the number of tobacco free working places for 5% per year.

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The Role of Public Health Association in Tobacco Control-

lessons learned! Political willingness and support of

Government; Dedication and support of Minister of health; Motivation and leadership between public

health workers; Financial support/financial sustainability; International support and involvement; Strategic orientation/Strategy, Laws, Political

documents… and Continuity, mobility, new ideas and activities.

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CHALLENGES

1. Smoking is culturally acceptable behavior and therefore is difficult to change it - there is a risk of bad image of PHA;

2. Strong pressure of tobacco industry lobby on prominent people – they can’t stop, but can delay activities and implementation of laws.

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Thank you very muchfor your attention !!!

Smoking is dangerous forhealth, even blonds understud this well !!!