03 September 2026, 12:36
On September 2, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Resolution "On the Statement of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of Ukraine’s Ratification of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control" (Reg. No.15127).
The document reaffirms Ukraine’s commitment to its international obligations, records the progress achieved, and underscores the necessity of further advancing tobacco control policy in alignment with the Convention's provisions and European Union practices.
As a reminder, March 15, 2026, marked the 20th anniversary of Ukraine's ratification of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
This landmark agreement was the first international public health treaty to establish a comprehensive approach to reducing tobacco consumption and protecting the population from its harmful effects.
Over the past 20 years, the provisions of the Convention have served as the foundation for Ukraine's national policy on tobacco control. A series of critical legislative measures was enacted, including restrictions on advertising, bans on sales promotions, protection from second-hand smoke, public education regarding the harms of smoking, and support for individuals seeking to quit tobacco and nicotine products.
Thanks to the implementation of these measures, the daily smoking rate among Ukraine's adult population decreased from 25 percent in 2006 to approximately 19 percent in recent years.
At the same time, the challenge remains acute: over 100,000 people in Ukraine die each year from diseases caused by tobacco use.
The Committee on National Health, Medical Care and Medical Insurance served as the lead committee reviewing the Resolution. The Committee emphasized that amid wartime conditions and demographic challenges, safeguarding public health must remain an absolute priority for the state.