Smoking in public places, citizens unhappy with the work of institutions

The Kosovar Centre for Avokim and Development (KADC) has published research “Inveli exposure to tobacco smoke and citizens' attitudes regarding Kosovo tobacco control policies”.

According to KDC, this research is aimed primarily at measuring the population's level of exposure to tobacco smoke, assessing the effectiveness of tobacco control policies and researching Kosovo's population attitudes towards these policies.

The method selected for data collection is based on individual interviews “face-to-face” realised of February 13th through 23rd 2020, with more than a thousand people aged 18 and older selectably selected in 15 Kosovo municipalities for research needs.

Research findings have proved that citizen exposure to tobacco smoke is huge (81.4%) in bars, cafes and restaurants. While in the workplace exposure to tobacco smoke is lower (27%) and home over 30%.

Research results have shown a high level of popular support for tobacco control measures where 84.7% of them have indicated in favour of stopping smoking in bars, cafes and restaurants and 98.5% in favour of stopping smoking in public institutions.

In the question whether smoking affects the selection of locals you visit, 40.7% of respondents have responded that they choose non-smoking bars, cafes and restaurants, 28.7% of them have indicated that they visit locals where smoking is allowed and that 30.6% of respondents are allowed or stop smoking does not affect their decision to visit them.

Regarding the work of authorities responsible for implementing the ban on smoking in public places, 94.5% of the population have indicated they are unhappy with their work. Of this number 42.1% think the responsible authorities have done little to implement the smoking ban, 23.9% think they have done too little and 28.5% think at all.

As for the effectiveness of health remarks in the tobacco packets, citizens perceive facts with more effective illustrative photos than text health remarks. Over remarks with 20.9% of respondents have indicated they are very effective, 25.6% somewhat effective, 25.4% not very effective, and 27.9% of respondents have expressed no effective.

While a greater number of respondents (30.5%) perceive the illustrative photos as very effective, 39.2% somewhat effective, 21.6% not very effective and 8.3% not effective.

Research data shows that the level of use of electronic cigarettes in Kosovo is still low by 0.8% drinking per day and 1.7% from time to time. While bottle use is greater with 1.5% regularly using it and 6.8% from time to time.

The high level of exposure to tobacco smoke and low appreciation for the work of responsible authorities are a clear indication of the neglect and lack of institutional action for protecting citizens' health from the dangers of tobacco.

The findings of this research should serve as evidence based on evidence to instruct and direct Kosovo Government and responsible law enforcement authorities in the company of actions needed to improve the implementation of tobacco control policies in Kosovo.

The full research report you find in the tool https://bit.ly/3ey3Kn6