WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan and Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan launch the month dedicated to the World No Tobacco Day

The opening ceremony took place at the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and brought together healthcare specialists, doctors from various medical institutions and youth. The speakers of the high-level conference, representing the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan and other specialized medical institutions of Turkmenistan emphasized the importance of taking measures on tobacco control, given that tobacco is one of the biggest public health threats and reaffirmed their commitment to continue their joint work towards building a world free from tobacco.

On the sidelines of this event, WHO Country office in Turkmenistan together with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan held another event at the Central Park of Ashgabat, which aimed at raising awareness of the hazardous effects and risks of tobacco consumption, tobacco control measures and protecting youth and children from second-hand smoking. The young SDG Ambassador together with the three volunteers conducted a survey on tobacco among the participants of the event, including children, youngsters, adults and older persons. The best answers were awarded with prizes from WHO CO in Turkmenistan. The participants received T-shirts, caps, notebooks with the slogan of the World Tobacco Day 2023 “Grow food, not tobacco”.

The theme for World No Tobacco Day is “Grow food, not tobacco” and aims at raising awareness of the importance of ending tobacco growing subsidies and accelerating transition to sustainable crop that could improve food security and nutrition.