site.btaHealth Minister Okoliyski Calls for Effective Smoking Ban and Limiting Tobacco Industry Interference

Caretaker Health Minister Michail Okoliyski has called for an effective smoking ban and for limiting the interference of the tobacco industry. He took part Monday in a roundtable discussion titled “For improved tobacco control and effective implementation of the WHO Framework Convention and Bulgarian legislation,” held in BTA's the MaxiM Hall.

The event was initiated by Minister Okoliyski and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Bulgaria. According to the minister, it is necessary to take measures to implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the related national legislation. Due to the lack of a functioning parliament and therefore no possibility for legislative initiative, a letter has been sent to the President, all ministries, and other institutions outlining two steps: first, to end double standards and issue genuinely enforceable orders banning smoking, since it is already prohibited by law; and second, to address tobacco industry interference. He noted that such interference often occurs subtly, but that an important first step has been made in recognizing that tobacco companies cannot and should not be partners of the Ministry of Health.

He added that in all EU countries the use of tobacco and heated tobacco products is declining, while in Bulgaria it is increasing, with around 40% of the population smoking. "The most tragic thing is that smoking is very widespread among young people, and in our country girls smoke more than boys," he said.

For years, Bulgaria has neglected these problems due to strong tobacco industry interests, which still persist today, including the purchase of media outlets that publish scientifically unverified claims about reduced harm from heated tobacco products, Okoliyski said. He also noted that certain institutions do not comply with smoking bans, adding that smoking is widespread inside ministries and even the National Assembly building.

The WHO Framework Convention outlines the areas of action for countries that have ratified it and serves as a guiding instrument, said Pavel Antonov, co-founder of the “Bulgaria Without Smoke” coalition. However, he noted that there are still major gaps in the implementation of some of its provisions in Bulgaria. According to him, there are legal loopholes regarding heated tobacco products that need to be addressed.

Petar Kirkovski, director of the Crop Production Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, pointed out that countries outside EU regulation, such as Panama and Brazil, include in their declarations commitments to protecting human health and the environment. He said these declarations were presented at an international forum.

In some countries, rules are being introduced under which people born after a certain year will not be allowed to buy cigarettes, said Dr. Gergana Geshanova, chair of the “Coalition for Life Without Tobacco and Nicotine.” In her view, prevention funding in Bulgaria is insufficient, while advertising of cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated devices remains a powerful influence. Another problem, she added, is the allowance of sponsorship by the tobacco industry.

The Framework Convention, ratified by Bulgaria in 2005, states that when implementing public health policies, states must protect these policies from the influence of commercial and other interests of the tobacco industry, reminded Dr. Masha Gavrailova from the Smoke-Free Coalition.