Publication: The Tobacco Epidemic in Southeast Europe : Consequences and Policy Responses
Date
2004-03
ISSN
Published
2004-03
Author(s)
Bozicevic, Ivana
Gilmore, Anna
Oreskovic, Stipe
Abstract
Smoking is the single largest cause of
premature mortality in the developed world. Obtaining
accurate estimates of smoking's impacts in south east
Europe (SEE) is hindered by the lack of accurate data.. None
of the countries of the region yet conduct regular national
surveys of adult smoking prevalence and some have no recent
nationally representative data available. The very high
rates among medical personnel are cause for concern. Youth
smoking surveys are now conducted in most countries as part
of international projects and show rates broadly similar to
the EU. The collapse of communism and the end of the
conflicts in the 1990s has led to major changes in the
region's tobacco industry. The previously state-owned
tobacco monopolies have either undergone or are undergoing
privatization and the transnational tobacco companies have
been increasingly active both in importing their cigarettes
to, and investing in, the region. These changes can be
expected to increase competition in the tobacco industry
which will in turn drive down prices and increase
advertising, thereby stimulating consumption. The available
statistics, combined with the changes to the region's
tobacco industry, suggest that the health impacts of tobacco
in SEE will continue to worsen over coming years.
Citation
“Bozicevic, Ivana; Gilmore, Anna; Oreskovic, Stipe. 2004. The Tobacco Epidemic in Southeast Europe : Consequences and Policy Responses. HNP discussion paper;. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/13710 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”