About 5,000 people die annually in the Republic of Moldova due to diseases caused by smoking. Globally, tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year. According to estimates of the World Health Organization, the chances for smokers to contract the novel coronavirus are by 40-50% higher. These are also more susceptible to diabetes and cancer. Also, the smokers are six times more likely to develop a serious form of COVID-19. Relevant information was presented in an event held in the Park “Alunelul” in Buiucani district of Chisinau on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day that is annually marked on May 31, IPN reports.

Ion Șalaru, vice director of the National Public Health Agency, noted that we are often witness to scenes when parents smoke in the presence of children, but the tobacco smoke affects the health of minors. The children are those who said that 1/3 of the parents smoke. At the same time, 40% of the children said they are exposed to cigarette smoke that affects their health. The children of smokers have bigger chances of using tobacco too. There are no inoffensive tobacco products and the only goal of the tobacco industry is to increase the turnover.

Daniela Demișcan, division head at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, said the fight against smoking is not at all easy and the tobacco industry has very good advocates. Owing to the insistence of those from the National Public Health Agency, smoking was banned in public places, in transport, near education and medical institutions. Pictograms showing how noxious smoking is are put on tobacco packs and the cigarettes are no longer in sight in retail outlets.

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, informative posters about the health risks of smoking were paced in parks and on playgrounds. The smokers who want to give up smoking can call the Green Line on 0 800 10001 to be helped by psychologists.