The smoking situation in Bulgaria is problematic

A recent study by the Blue Link Foundation sought to assess smoking prevalence levels among young Bulgarians, as well as their views on tobacco control measures. The results, while showing high tobacco consumption among the younger generation, also highlight an expectation for regulation.[1].

The study analyzed data collected from two nationally representative surveys, conducted in September and December 2020 among young Bulgarians aged 18 to 35.

Nearly one in two young Bulgarians smoke tobacco

According to the study, between 45.7% and 50.4% of Bulgarians aged 18 to 35 are consumers of tobacco products. Most current smokers started before the age of 18, while more than 20% of young Bulgarians started smoking between the ages of 10 and 14, highlighting the pediatric nature of the tobacco epidemic, particularly in the country. The study also highlights a truncated perception of health risks among younger generations: almost a fifth of respondents say they believe that the consumption of heated tobacco and hookahs is less dangerous than that of manufactured cigarettes.

A wait for anti-smoking legislation

Despite the high prevalence of smoking, the study shows that the young Bulgarian generation seems to expect stronger regulation of tobacco products. Thus, 58% of respondents say that the ban on smoking in public places should be stricter and more effective, and that the development of public health policies should be independent of the interests of cigarette companies. In the same vein, almost half of them declare themselves in favour of a ban on tobacco products. Finally, a third of respondents indicated that they would be ready to vote for a political force if it proposed to combat smoking among young people.

Illicit trade as a means of political pressure

A former Soviet-ruled country, Bulgaria nationalized its tobacco industry in 1951. From 1989 onwards, successive governments gradually opened the Bulgarian market to competition, but did not fully privatize the industry until 2011. However, internal tobacco industry documents show that international companies, particularly British American Tobacco (BAT) and Philip Morris International (PMI), have been interested in the Bulgarian market since 1975. Its geographical position, the quality of its production infrastructure and the low cost of its labor have made Bulgaria a country particularly targeted by multinationals. In order to access the Bulgarian market and obtain the privatization of the sector, it has been shown that the tobacco industry was very actively involved in organizing an illicit tobacco trade in Bulgaria, at least until 2010.[2]. The heavy interference of the tobacco industry contributes to the country's problematic health situation: each year, 17,000 Bulgarians die from smoking, which is more than 221,000 deaths nationwide. The influence of the tobacco industry is also reflected in the application of one of the lowest taxes in Europe, as well as in the appearance of advertisements for Glo and Iqos, the flagship heated tobacco brands of British American Tobacco (BAT) and Philip Morris International (PMI).

[1] Bulgarian News Agency, Nearly Half of Bulgarian Youth Use Tobacco Products – Survey, 07/05/2021, (accessed 11/05/2021)

[2] Skafida V, Silver KE, Rechel BP, Gilmore AB. Change in tobacco excise policy in Bulgaria: the role of tobacco industry lobbying and smuggling. Tob Control. 2014 May;23(e1):e75-84. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2012-050600. Epub 2012 Nov 10. PMID: 23143869.

National Committee Against Smoking |