World No Tobacco Day, celebrated annually on May 31, is a global platform to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use and promote efforts to stop smoking. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health together with the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasize the importance of this day and inform about the latest developments in tobacco control.

In January 2022, before the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, Ukraine introduced comprehensive legislative measures to regulate both traditional and newer tobacco and nicotine products. The country's commitment to tobacco control remains steadfast despite the ongoing conflict.

To assess the impact of these measures and understand changes in tobacco use during the war, WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), conducted a national survey on tobacco use among adults (18+) in April 2023.

The survey found information that underscores the importance of comprehensive regulation of electric-heated tobacco products (EHTPs) and electronic cigarettes alongside traditional tobacco products. Banning their indoor use and banning flavorings in cigarettes and e-liquids appear to be important factors in combating the use of these addictive products.

In addition, the survey highlighted the demand for smoking cessation services and the important role of primary care providers in this process. WHO, in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Center for Public Health, presented the results of the survey, emphasizing the importance of using science-based measures.

Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine, highly appreciated Ukraine's active efforts in the fight against tobacco smoking before the war. He emphasized that once fully implemented, the new rules will continue to reduce smoking prevalence and save lives. Dr. Habicht also warned against misleading claims that the latest tobacco products help people quit smoking, and stressed the need to strictly regulate them.

"We know that during emergencies, the burden of tobacco use can increase. Therefore, it is important for us to know the current situation and understand what measures need to be taken. For example, we can see from the research that a significant part of consumers of tobacco and nicotine products are addicted to products with aromatic additives. Among the consumers of these products, there is a significant share of women and young people. So it is obvious that flavoring supplements are successful marketing of these dangerous for health products. From 11.07.2023, according to the new legislation, cigarettes and liquids for e-cigarettes with aromatic additives will be prohibited for sale in Ukraine. Such a step will contribute to a further decrease in the prevalence of tobacco use," said Tetiana Skapa, head of the department of non-infectious diseases prevention and drug trafficking of the Department of Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

"The results of the research show, in particular, that people's willingness to quit smoking is noticeably high. In turn, a medical worker has the opportunity to help a person with a tobacco addiction. The Public Health Center helps to raise the awareness of family doctors about motivational counseling, and is also working on updating the online service stop.smoking to help quit smoking Another obvious problem is gaps in enforcement. The center has developed and promotes a website where anyone can file a complaint regarding a violation of their right to a smoke-free environment. Only a systematic approach will help further reduce tobacco use in Ukraine," adds Iryna Soroka, head of the non-infectious disease prevention department of the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

Main results of the survey:

• Prevalence of smoking and use of new tobacco products among the adult population showed no significant changes, with some signs of decline.
• Approximately 27.4% of respondents (44.0% of men and 13.7% of women) currently use any tobacco and nicotine products. Among them, 23.0% are daily consumers (37.5% men and 11.1% women).
• 22.2% are current cigarette smokers (37.8% and 9.3%), while daily smokers are 19.5% (33.3% of men and 8.1% of women). Cigarettes remain the most used tobacco product (83% of consumers of all tobacco products).
• Prevalence of use of the newest tobacco and nicotine products is relatively low: electronic cigarettes (3.3%), EHTP (3.0%) and hookah (2.6%).
• Among the main reasons for using EHTP, users mentioned the possibility of using them in places where traditional smoking is prohibited (54.3%).
• Among the main factors of consumption of electronic cigarettes, consumers named attractive flavor additives (50.0%) and social norms (42.3%).
• Passive smoking persists: 28.8% of respondents reported exposure to tobacco smoke at home and 21.7% - indoors at the workplace.
• Data on smoking cessation showed that 63.1% of smokers plan to quit, and 16.4% expressed the need for professional help.

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine expressed its gratitude to the public for their dedication in the fight against tobacco smoking, especially during the current emergency. The results of the survey will contribute to further efforts to eliminate the risk factor of tobacco and nicotine use, and will help in making subsequent decisions. Efforts are also underway to strengthen anti-tobacco enforcement, including inspections to combat indoor smoking, particularly hookah smoking in cafes, bars and restaurants.

On World No Tobacco Day, Ukraine and WHO call on people, communities and politicians to continue cooperation to protect public health and combat tobacco use. By prioritizing evidence-based interventions and creating an enabling environment, we can create a tobacco-free future for all.

The infographic can be found here.

The presentation can be read here.

Contacts for the media:

Tetiana Dolhova, World Health Organization – dolhovat@who.int