Alarming statistics - Bulgaria is second in smoking and mortality from cardiovascular diseases in the EU, BNT reported.
The data and the strategy for reducing smoking in our country were discussed at a round table organized by the initiative "Bulgaria without smoke" and the coalition "For a life without tobacco smoke". According to the participants in the discussion, the prices of all nicotine products should be much higher in order to reduce their use. Representatives of the ministries of health and education, the Consumer Protection Commission and the Bulgarian National Television were involved in the discussion.
One of the proposals is that all tobacco products, including vapes and heated devices, cannot be used indoors.
"The problem should not be focused only on vapes, because we have a child who died from vaping, thousands of children smoke with vapes, then switch to heated devices and as part of some kind of socialization, which is going in an unacceptable way in countries like ours. In France, tobacco products are sold only in specialized stores and if they catch someone selling to minors - their entire business is over, is categorical Professor Ivan Gruev, chairman of the Society of Cardiologists in Bulgaria.
One of the reasons why Bulgaria is in second place in Europe after Serbia in terms of smoking is the low price of cigarettes. If here a box costs around 6-7 leva, then in all of Europe the price is double and even triple. The most important things for solving the problem remain upbringing and the environment. That is why the goal of the BNT campaign "Don't Breathe Death" is to change attitudes among young people.
"We have singers whose videos feature devices, this is necessary and manages to reach children because it is targeted as something very modern", commented Mariela Dragolova, director of "News and Current Affairs" BNT.
Among the proposals that were discussed during the discussion are a complete ban on advertising of tobacco products, as well as a sharp increase in excise taxes to make cigarettes inaccessible to young people.