Bishkek, May 28, 2026. /Kabar/. World No Tobacco Day is celebrated annually around the world on May 31. Deputy Minister of Health Gulbara Ishenapysova announced at a press conference in Kabar news agency.
She noted that the 2026 international campaign is being held under the motto: "Unmasking the appeal – countering nicotine and tobacco addiction" and that Kyrgyzstan has joined the World Health Organization's global initiative.
According to the WHO, tobacco causes over 8 million deaths worldwide each year, including approximately 1.2 million deaths among nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke.
International experts are particularly concerned about the rising consumption of nicotine products among adolescents and young adults. The ministry of health emphasized that modern tobacco and nicotine companies actively use marketing mechanisms specifically targeting young consumers.
This includes the bright designs of electronic devices, sweet flavors, product promotion through social media, bloggers, and hidden advertising. Experts say these methods give adolescents a false impression of the "safety" and "modernity" of nicotine products.
The ministry noted that nicotine is highly addictive and is especially dangerous for children and adolescents, as the brain and nervous system are still developing at this age.
Kyrgyzstan continues to implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and national legislation to protect citizens' health from the consequences of tobacco consumption, nicotine, and exposure to tobacco smoke and aerosols.
As part of World No Tobacco Day, the ministry of health approved set of preventive measures aimed at raising public awareness and strengthening interagency cooperation.
For example, on May 29, Bishkek will host intersectoral meeting on the implementation of anti-tobacco legislation, attended by representatives of government agencies, the WHO, the medical community, and professional associations.