About One Third of Kyrgyzstan''s Population Consumes Tobacco Products

Source from:  The News Agency "24.kg (kg)  11/16/2012

About one third of Kyrgyzstan's population consumes tobacco products, press center of the Health Care Ministry reported.

According to national study held in 2002, 23 percent of population over 18 consumed tobacco products (including naswar). By 2005, this rate grew up to 28 percent. A comparative analysis showed that smoking prevalence in rural areas is higher than in urban.

According to an anonymous study among schoolboys aged 13-15 of Kochkor district, 32 percent of teenagers aged 13, and 67 percent of teenagers aged 15 try tobacco. Number of regularly smoking children also has grown, moreover, one third of them are girls.

As a result of questioning of 2.5 thousand smokers it was found out: 47 percent of respondents wish to quit smoking, 40 percent of them repeatedly have tried to do it. This figure is low compared to the European rates, it confirms the assumption that our population is not fully aware of smoking harm, and therefore underestimates destructive effect of tobacco.

As noted, November 15 is an International Smoke-Free Day. Enditem