National Program for Tobacco Control in the Republic of Uzbekistan for Mr.Mamutov R.Sh. Director, National Centre for Tobacco Control

Objectives: Tactical: Reduce tobacco consumption among male smokers aged 15+ by 0.5% per year Strategic: Reduce morbidity and mortality rates related to tobacco consumption

Indicators Addiction to tobacco consumption among teenagers and adults. Base level is 21% of adult male smokers in 2005 Addiction to tobacco consumption among teenagers and adults. Base level is 21% of adult male smokers in 2005 National statistic data of tobacco products sales. National statistic data of tobacco products sales. Source: Consequences of tobacco consumption to population health and economy in Uzbekistan. Report by the MoH (Republic of Uzbekistan) and World Bank, 2007, Tashkent

Tasks of the Program 1.Regulating domestic market of finished tobacco products; 2.Regulating export operations for manufactured cigarettes; 3.Changing behavior of target groups; 4.Organizing medical and psychological care provision to people aiming to overcome tobacco addiction; 5.Establish international cooperation under the National Program for Tobacco Control; 6.Managing and financing the National Program for Tobacco Control.

Concept of the Program 1. Limiting access of tobacco products, especially among children and youth. 2. Overall prohibition on tobacco advertising and promotion in all mass media. 3. Providing access to information concerning the hazards of tobacco consumption and indicating the benefits of quitting it via mass media, including anti-advertising. 4. Increasing number of non-smoking areas, smoke- free public and work places to reduce the risk of smoke exposure. 5. Facilitating smokers who wish to quit in order to reduce cigarette consumption. 6. Publishing and disseminating scientifically justified evidences of risks caused by active smoking and exposure to passive smoking.

Strategy of the National Program for Tobacco Control in the Republic of Uzbekistan for Establishment of Interdepartmental Committee under the Cabinet of Ministers (excluding tobacco business representatives) Strengthening capacity of Tobacco Control Centre. Managing and financing the National Program for Tobacco Control Regulating imports and domestic market of tobacco raw material Behavioral change of target groups Regulating export activities of manufactured tobacco products Stimulating reorientation of domestic tobacco raw producers to cultivation of alternative crops Providing access to target groups and ensuring direct information influence via training the trained trainers who have an immediate pedagogic influence on the target audience due to their role in the family or professional occupation Providing access to target groups and ensuring indirect information influence via mass media messages, cinematography and literature to develop a positive public opinion about abstinence from smoking and disapproving tobacco addiction as a form of behavior Reducing illegal imports of tobacco products and counterfeit production Regulating unorganized sales of tobacco products Providing access to smoking cessation to smokers who wish to quit smoking at the public health care facilities Regulating domestic market of tobacco products Medical and psychological care for tobacco addicts Establishing international cooperation under the Program Reduce demand for tobacco products via indirect taxation of legal sales Bring effective legal- organizing solutions for the nasvai production and sales Restricting communication activity of legal tobacco producers Participating in coordinated efforts of international community for tobacco control and strengthening cooperation with international organizations and neighboring countries Annual development of state budget with the inclusion of the Program costs and allocations for the involved state organizations Increasing smoke-free public and work places to reduce passive smoking exposure

Expected outputs In the short- to midterm: In the short- to midterm:  The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control ratified;  Activity of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan coordinated with activities of the world community in tobacco control in the framework of the Warsaw Declaration “Tobacco Free Europe” and WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control;  Illegal import and export of tobacco products reduced as a result of cooperation with the world community under the Warsaw Declaration “Tobacco Free Europe”;  Control of production and sale of nasvai established;  Tax proceeds in the state budget (from direct and indirect taxation) increased;  Medical and psychological care organized for all people willing to overcome tobacco addiction via a guaranteed package of services provided at primary health care level;  Active consumption of tobacco products reduced and passive smoking, especially among young women and children, prevented. In the long-term (in 10 –15 years): In the long-term (in 10 –15 years):  Behavior stereotype changed in young people for the sake of healthy life-style development;  Tobacco related morbidity and mortality rates reduced;  Socio-economical status of the Republic improved.