World No Tobacco Day. Smoking is one of main causes of cancer among population in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, May 31, 2024. /Kabar/. In Kyrgyzstan, smoking is one of the main causes of cancer among the population, Deputy Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic Bubuzhan Arykbaeva told at a press conference at Kabar Agency.

She said that the World No Tobacco Day is celebrated annually on May 31. This year it aims to support efforts to protect young people from the harmful effects of the tobacco industry. “This call will be a platform for youth, policymakers and tobacco control activists around the world to call on governments to take action to protect young people from the manipulation of the tobacco industry,” Arykbaeva said.

In order to maintain its profits, she noted, the tobacco industry needs to find millions of new customers every year to replace people who die or quit smoking. To this end, they strive to create conditions that promote the popularity of its products among young people. To achieve this, the tobacco industry is interested in changing legislation to increase the availability of its products and also allow smoking whenever possible.

The deputy minister emphasized that one of the main causes of most cancer diseases is smoking. “Smoking harms our health even more than radiation or uranium,” Arykbaeva said.

According to Chinara Bekbasarova, head of the department of the Republican Center for Health and Medical Care, the tobacco market is changing, many tobacco products have appeared. “Some products, such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, are popular among young people around the world, as well as in Kyrgyzstan. The fascination of young people with electronic cigarettes and tobacco products is frightening. We, doctors, fully support the initiative to completely ban electronic cigarettes, IQOS (IQOS), etc., as in neighboring Kazakhstan. This is the future of our children,” she believes.

WHO National Officer Alina Altymysheva noted that the “players” of the tobacco industry are constantly coming up with new products and gadgets for cigarette fans and using advertising on social networks. Even famous personalities advertise e-cigarettes, saying that they will help you get rid of your addiction to regular cigarettes. It's all a myth. Electronic cigarettes are the same poison that poisons your body.

The WHO representative shared that there are facts where some stores offer disposable cigarettes to young people for free.