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This day was officially established by the UN in 1988 at the 42nd session of the World Health Assembly in order to draw the world’s attention to the epidemic of tobacco use and its serious consequences, because smoking is one of the most important causes of mortality: up to 6 million people die from it, including more than 600 thousand from passive smoking. According to WHO, at least 25 types of diseases are associated with this bad habit.
In Ukraine, every 10th death is from tobacco use.
According to the Center for Public Health dated May 30, 2025, the World Health Organization Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and partners, presented the results of the 4th round of the Global Youth Survey on Tobacco Use.
The survey covered schoolchildren aged 11-17 and allowed to assess the current state of tobacco and nicotine product use, as well as the effectiveness of national tobacco control policies over the past 20 years. This survey was conducted four times: in 2005, 2011, 2017 and 2023.
Ukraine has made significant progress in reducing smoking prevalence (from 24.0% in 2005 to 12.3% in 2023). 19.6% of adolescents use e-cigarettes, but almost half of them want to quit this habit.
Despite this, the war and humanitarian crisis had a negative impact on the prevalence of smoking.
WHO Representative in Ukraine Dr. Jarno Habicht highly appreciated the active efforts of our country in the fight against tobacco smoking before the war. He emphasized that once fully implemented, the new rules will help reduce the prevalence of smoking, which will save lives.
The results of the study show that people are significantly more willing to quit smoking. So a health worker can help a person with tobacco addiction. The Public Health Center is helping to raise awareness among family doctors about counseling to help patients with tobacco addiction. The Center has developed and promotes a website where anyone can file a complaint about a violation of their right to a smoke-free environment. Iryna Soroka, Head of the Department of Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases at the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine believes that only a systematic approach will help reduce tobacco use in Ukraine.
Smoking has been prohibited on the territory of ONMedU for many years. By adhering to this rule, university employees and students demonstrate by their example that cigarettes and training in a profession that gives health are two incompatible things.
Fighting this harmful and dangerous phenomenon is not only the responsibility of medical professionals, but of the entire society.
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