Czech Republic's efforts to combat tobacco

The Czech Republic is one of the European countries where tobacco control measures are still too weak to effectively reduce the national smoking rate. The latest initiative, the approximately 10% increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes in May 2019, is still not enough to make the price a deterrent: a pack of cigarettes now costs between 85 and 105 CZK, the equivalent of 4 euros.[1].

Increasing the price of tobacco, an effective measure to limit consumption

Following the 2019 increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes, the Czech Republic is seeking to align itself with the minimum rates applied in Europe and appears to be continuing its efforts. The Czech Ministry of Finance is considering successive tax increases on tobacco products in the coming years. Indeed, Minister Adam Vojtěch claims that increasing the price of cigarettes has a significant impact on consumption and the health of the population: a position shared by Tobacco-free generation.

The first figures seem to confirm this theory, as according to a study led by the National Institute of Health (SZÚ), the number of smokers in the Czech Republic has decreased over the past seven years, particularly among young people. In 2017, 35% of the young people surveyed aged 15 to 24 declared themselves smokers, compared to 23% in 2019.[2]

Czech Republic's tentative efforts to combat smoking are encouraging

Having been considered the least stringent country in the European Union in terms of tobacco control, the Czech Republic today demonstrates a strong commitment to public health. The progress made in recent years and the government's projects attest to a real tobacco control policy in the Czech Republic. As a reminder, smoking has been banned in all public places since May 31, 2017. The Czech government has also just adopted a bill to ban tobacco advertising.[3]. It is hoped that the adoption of plain cigarette packaging will be soon.[4].

©Generation Without Tobacco

[1] https://francais.radio.cz/le-gouvernement-pour-une-augmentation-des-taxes-sur-le-tabac-et-lalcool-8129984

[2] https://francais.radio.cz/le-nombre-du-fumeurs-en-baisse-en-republique-tcheque-8681968

[3] https://francais.radio.cz/le-tabac-interdit-de-publicite-en-tchequie-8064612

[4] https://francais.radio.cz/la-republique-tcheque-refuse-dintroduire-le-paquet-de-cigarettes-neutre-8152853

[i] "Adult smokers are sensitive to the price of tobacco" https://www.generationsanstabac.org/actualites/les-fumeurs-adultes-sont-sensibles-au-prix-du-tabac/

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