Number of smokers projected to fall by 30% by 2016

The number of smokers will decrease by 30% towards 2016. This is projected in the tobacco control program for the next five years, approved by the Government, Info-Prim Neo reports. Minister of Health Andrei Usatyi said that every second man and 15% of the teens smoke in Moldova. About 4,000 persons die yearly from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including cancer, caused by tobacco abuse. The program includes measures aimed at combating the use of tobacco products by gradually increasing excises from 2012 and imposing a vice tax since 2014, informing the people about the consequences of smoking and instituting a system for monitoring morbidity and mortality caused by tobacco abuse. ”In Moldova there are two problems – the free access to tobacco products and the low prices compared with other countries. By gradually raising excises and imposing a vice tax on the smokers, we may change the situation. We did some rough calculations. If we put a tax of 4% on the price of a pack of cigarettes, we will earn an annual income of 350 million lei. This sum can be used to promote a healthy lifestyle in society,” said the minister. The program was designed with the assistance of 11 ministries.