The Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority (AAEK) participates in a European campaign for a smoke-free environment. The President of the Authority, Dr. Christos Minas, mentioned on Monday morning, during a press conference, the participation of Cyprus in the European citizens' initiative for a smoke-free environment and the first European smoke-free generation by 2030.
According to the statistics he quoted for the last month, the percentage of students aged 15-16 who smoked amounted to 14%. It is below the European average, continuing the downward trend, yet 4,5% of students use e-cigarettes daily. Cyprus holds a high position in Europe in electronic cigarettes and hookahs, it was reported at the conference.
Speaking at the offices of AAEK, in Nicosia, Dr. Mina stated that smoking is the number 1 public health problem internationally, speaking of approximately 700.000 deaths per year in Europe due to smoking. He also said that AAEK participates as a member of the European Network for Tobacco Prevention, which includes 38 European countries with 77 members.
He explained that the initiative of the European network, which started on January 26, 2023 and will last one year, is to collect 1.000.000 electronic signatures across Europe. The initiative, he emphasized, is a call to the European citizen to exercise his constitutional right - which derives from the European Constitution - and to demand that the European Commission propose and implement legislation on smoking addiction, so that we have an environment smoke free.
The President of AAEK noted that in Cyprus there are 4.230 signatures, which can be registered either through the website where the interested parties (who must be 18 years or older) will submit their details or through a QR code available on the website of AAEK.
In addition, Dr. Minas referred to the actions proposed by the European Network against tobacco and nicotine, which include the end of the sale of tobacco products to minors, the creation of a network of rivers and beaches free of tobacco and cigarette butts, as well as the creation of a European network of national parks without tobacco and cigarette butts.
In addition, the expansion of smoke- and cigarette-free outdoor spaces to include areas frequented by minors and restaurant exteriors, the elimination of advertisements that directly or indirectly promote tobacco and tobacco products, and the funding of research programs are proposed to improve the prognosis of diseases caused by smoking.
The President of AAEK quoted statistics regarding smoking in Cyprus. Specifically, he said that about 4 in 10 adults have smoked in the last month according to the latest General Population Survey, adding that one in 10 smokes more than 20 cigarettes a day. In the last month, Dr Mina continued, 14% of 15-16-year-old students smoked, which is lower than the European average and on a downward trend since 2003.
Cyprus has a high position all over Europe in electronic cigarettes and hookahs, significantly exceeding the European average, stressed the President of AAEK. Responding to a journalist's question, he said that 4,5% of students make daily use of e-cigarettes, clarifying that this finding comes from the 2019 survey and the result of this year's survey is awaited.
He also reported that one in five students had used hookah in the past month, which is a high percentage. Dr. Mina noted that "there is a huge misconception that hookah is not harmful." The water in the hookah does not filter out the toxic products at all, while it contains loads of carcinogenic chemicals, heavy metals and carbon monoxide, whose action is more or just as harmful as that of a conventional cigarette, he pointed out.
The President of AAEK said that the Authority invites adults to sign the initiative to be free from tobacco. "By signing this initiative we can all actively contribute to a healthy population, a healthy environment and a healthy Europe," he stressed.
Answering a question about the implementation of the legislation on smoking in Cyprus, Dr. Mina pointed out that it is not effectively implemented, adding that "it is important to reach the final implementation of the legislation". In addition, he indicated that the implementation of the legislation is not only the job of the police and community-municipal authorities, underlining that the involvement of organized groups is also needed and is left to the conscience of civil society. "Only the implementation of smoking and alcohol legislation would be the main preventive measure," he said.
Asked about the alternative options for e-cigarettes with tobacco heating, the AAEK President said that the Authority is involved in some discussions about these products. "The AAEK is categorically and clearly against any form of nicotine use by all ages, not only for the strong physical and mental dependence it causes, but also because it reduces life expectancy by 14,5 years for female smokers and by 13,5, XNUMX years for the male smoker", he emphasized.
“Nicotine burning and heating products may avoid the harmful effects of tar, but we must never forget that nicotine is addictive. Besides, there are still no studies on what is produced by burning and vaporizing," he pointed out.
"AAEK is chairing a committee that will study whether some of these products can contribute to reducing harm. There is insufficient international literature, which is used by tobacco companies to support their advertising," Dr Mina added.
Source: KYPE