HEALTH Minister Andreas Gavrielides sent out a stern message yesterday as part of International No Smoking Day, calling on Cypriots to kick in the habit.
Speaking at a news conference, called in conjunction with the Cyprus Electricity Authorities (EAC), Health Minister Andreas Gavrielides spoke of the need for greater awareness about the dangers of smoking.
“Clear and strong messages about the dangers of smoking need to be made public better and it is also vital that facts are given about the risks to health. Doctors and medical staff should also be alert on the matter and inform smokers about the health risks involved in smoking.”
Gavrielides added that the government currently had 17 programmes aimed at tackling smoking.
“If they are operated properly, then our message should be able to get across. However, it is also the responsibility of all of us to make sure that we look after our health.”
Despite still having a relatively high percentage of smokers, these are on the decline according to the latest figures recorded at the Ministry, down from 30 per cent of the population to 22 per cent.
Quizzed by reporters about the rights of non-smokers, Gavrielides stated that in the private sector, the employer was obliged to oversee the rights of non-smokers with separate rooms for non-smokers. He added that tougher legislation should also be imposed on smokers who continue to smoke in public areas such as offices.
Using his own Ministry as an example, Gavrielides said that out of the 124 employees working there, 113 said that they would back legislation banning smoking in their offices.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is currently responsible for the death of one in 10 adults worldwide (about 5 million deaths each year). If current smoking patterns continue, it will cause some 10 million deaths each year by 2020. Half the people that smoke today –that is about 650 million people – will eventually be killed by tobacco.
Legislation on smoking was reinforced in 1988 when a total ban on smoking on all public transport vehicles, including Service Taxis, was imposed. Smoking was also prohibited in health care establishments and public places such as theatres, cinemas, museums, libraries, and food premises. Although restaurants and coffee shops remained exempt, they must display notices about the harmful effects of smoking.
n If you are a smoker and want to kick the habit in then contact the Cyprus National Coalition for Smoking Prevention: 22-446222
