Issues Bulgaria

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of Bulgaria. Every year, more than 17000 of its people arekilled by tobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 13000 children (10-14 years old) and 1617000 adults (15+ yearsold) continue to use tobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobaccoindustry in Bulgaria and ensures that tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates mustreach out to other communities and resources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

34.3%Even though fewer men smoke onaverage in Bulgaria than on averagein high-HDI countries, there are stillmore than 1045800 men whosmoke cigarettes each day, makingit an ongoing and dire public healththreat.

Female

17.5%More women smoke in Bulgariathan on average in high-HDIcountries.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

3.34%More boys smoke in Bulgaria than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Girls

6.46%More girls smoke in Bulgaria than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

22.29%More men die in Bulgaria than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Female

8.37%More women die in Bulgaria than onaverage in high-HDI countries.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in Bulgaria amounts to3011 million lev. This includes direct costs related tohealthcare expenditures and indirect costs related tolost productivity due to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

n/a n/a

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion,552% larger than the Gross National Income of Bulgaria.The industry is a powerful force that does not fear theactions of nation-states because of their extensiveresources and global market power.

Growing

There were 29996metric tons of tobaccoproduced in Bulgariain 2014, with 0.35% ofagricultural landdevoted to tobaccocultivation.

Production

There were24.99 billioncigarettesproduced inBulgaria in 2016.

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Solutions Bulgaria

Current Policy in BulgariaProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Bulgaria

66.92%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the bestpractice

Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered)

National Quitline Yes

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Graphic

Percent of Pack Covered 65%

Plain Packaging Yes

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 No

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program n/a

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience n/a

Target Audience Research Was Conducted n/a

Aired On Television And/Or Radio n/a

Utilized Media Planning n/a

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign n/a

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation n/a

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness n/a

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

4/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

1/10possible bans

Ad Ban Compliance Percent

Moderate

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (productplacement)

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