The PROI Association and the “Partnership for Bosnia and Herzegovina without Tobacco Smoke” appealed to the authorities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) to take urgent measures to adopt legislation on tobacco control, in order to prevent, as reported, fatal outcomes caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The appeal was made ahead of today’s emergency working meeting of the Federal Government with the cantonal prime ministers and other institutions, convened due to the increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus, Klix.ba news portal reports.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is currently one of the countries with an above-average number of new coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The prevalence of smoking in Bosnia and Herzegovina is among the highest in Europe, and research shows that more than 38 percent of the adult population in the Federation consumes tobacco products. During the pandemic of coronavirus, health experts emphasize that smoking is one of the risk factors that worsens the already damaged health condition, and can even lead to death, “they pointed out.
They claim that recent research has shown the danger of tobacco use during a coronavirus pandemic, and that the risk, as they pointed out, of the progression of the disease in smokers and ex-smokers has almost doubled compared to non-smokers.
“Research shows that coronavirus mortality is higher in people with pre-existing diseases, including non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular and chronic respiratory conditions, cancer and diabetes. And we know that tobacco use is a major common risk factor associated with all these diseases.” they added.
Urgently ban smoking in all open and closed public places, workplaces, including electronic tobacco products and hookahs, to protect public health during a coronavirus pandemic. The implementation of this measure must be specially monitored in health care institutions, public institutions, catering facilities, shopping centers, sports facilities and public transport.
