New data from the fourth knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) study on tobacco consumption in the Republic of Moldova (2017) show that 89% of smokers and 97% of non-smokers and ex-smokers know that smoking causes serious health issues.
Over a period of 5 years, during which the country conducted communication campaigns, it recorded an improvement in knowledge levels, slight changes in attitudes, and no modifications in practices of tobacco use.
The 2017 KAP study results were released on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2018, and within the framework of a public hearing on the implementation of Law 278/2007 on tobacco control held by the Parliamentary Commission on Social Protection, Health and Family on 30 May 2018.
Key data from the KAP survey indicate the following:
- 75% of smokers recognize that their health would improve if they quit smoking;
- 90% of non-smokers and 47% of smokers are worried about their health when someone around them smokes;
- 83% of respondents feel that it is very important or important to ensure that workplaces are free of tobacco smoke;
- 58% of people who visit restaurants feel they have become more pleasant since the ban on smoking in indoor spaces has taken effect;
- 27% of smokers received advice to quit smoking from their family doctor in last 12 months; and
- 49% of men and 5% of women smoke.
The data were collected in May–June 2017 from a sample population of 1531 respondents in rural and urban environments.
Commitment to further monitoring implementation of tobacco control law
During the public hearing on tobacco control law implementation, Valentina Buliga, Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Commission on Social Protection, Health and Family, stressed: “Population health is above all. Our role is to continue constant efforts to protect population health from one of the most serious public health plagues.”
The event gathered a large number of members of Parliament, decision-makers and civil society representatives. After discussions, participants agreed to:
- enforce implementation of the tobacco control law provisions on a full ban on smoking in all enclosed and semi-enclosed public places, including workplaces;
- assess and enforce the implementation of pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products;
- promote and ensure better smoking quitline services and provide access to nicotine replacement therapy; and
- enforce the implementation of policies that prevent the tobacco industry from lobbying and interfering with tobacco control policy and other activities.
The Moldovan Parliament endorsed the extensive law on tobacco control on 29 May 2015. The law has been introduced gradually, starting on 1 January 2016 with the enforcement of bans on the advertising and promotion of tobacco products. Provisions for a full ban on smoking in all enclosed and semi-enclosed public places followed on 31 May 2016, and pictorial health warnings covering the top 65% of both sides of cigarette packs were mandated as of January 2018.
The KAP study on tobacco consumption in the Republic of Moldova and the public hearing were conducted within the framework of the biennial collaborative agreement for 2018–2019 between WHO/Europe and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, and as part of the “Support to strengthening governance and policy dialogue in health sector – 2nd phase”, funded jointly by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and WHO.