North Macedonia, smoking causes 4,000 deaths each year - About 40% of the population are active consumers, only 5% quit
Macedonia loses about 4,000 lives each year as a result of smoking or its products. The number of active smokers in the country is 40.4 percent of the population, and only five percent of smokers have managed to quit in recent years, according to a study by the Institute of Public Health.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 40 percent of young people in Macedonia by the age of 14 already smoke, despite the law prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors. The percentage of the population that uses tobacco places Macedonia among the countries with the highest rates of active smoking.
"Only five percent have managed to quit smoking in recent years. On average, an active smoker consumes up to 18 cigarettes a day. It is concerning that children and young people are exposed to tobacco smoke at home and in public spaces during a period when their cardiovascular system is still developing, which creates permanent damage and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease at a young age. Exposure to passive tobacco smoke carries a significant cardiovascular risk," doctors say.
"Seven out of ten tobacco users start when they are minors. Only five percent manage to get rid of the addiction. Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and creates long-term instability of health insurance," they explain.
However, strict measures against smokers will be difficult to implement. “The government will be under great pressure. The risks are high, as the industry is very strong. The business community that supports that industry has great influence among health authorities,” experts say.
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