Following a long tradition, events dedicated to the World No Tobacco Day have started in Turkmenistan. These are various educational and preventive actions, conferences and meetings, creative competitions and sports competitions, which are held throughout the month in honor of the international date, according to the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper.
On the first day of May, an action organized by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan in partnership with the WHO Country Office was held in the Ashgabat park of the capital. During the campaign, volunteers held a quiz, the winners of which were waiting for gifts from the organizers. A special atmosphere of the event was created by the performances of the children's violin ensemble and the exhibition of works by young artists.
On the same day, a meeting of the Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee on Tobacco Control was held at the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, officially opening the program of preventive measures in May, dedicated to a healthy lifestyle and the fight against bad habits. The speakers, in particular, noted that for many years the country has been carrying out purposeful work to prevent various diseases and combat risk factors for their occurrence.
In order to implement the national policy, retail prices for tobacco products were increased several times. Also, all tobacco products imported into Turkmenistan have mandatory inscriptions and pictograms in the state language about the dangers of smoking and the harmful effects on the human body, occupying 65% of the total packaging area. In September 2015, excise stamps were introduced in the country, which are placed on cigarette packages.
Since 2012, there have been nine "Trust" centers operating in all regions of the country. By calling the single number 118, anyone can anonymously receive specialist advice on how to quit smoking, answers to other questions.
In 2015, a new Specialized Rehabilitation Center began its work, which provides the necessary assistance to people suffering from bad habits, including tobacco use.
In accordance with the National Program for Turning Turkmenistan into a Tobacco-Free Country for 2022-2025 and the Action Plan for its implementation, an ambitious goal has been set - by 2025 Turkmenistan will become a tobacco-free country. According to the World Health Organization, Turkmenistan is a prime example of leadership in the European region in tobacco control.
Established in 1987, World No Tobacco Day is celebrated annually on 31 May to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and effective policies to reduce tobacco use.
