Akpay Sarybayev: Excise tax on cigarettes must be doubled in Kyrgyzstan

«The excise tax on cigarettes should be increased by 100 percent,» Head of the Department of Pulmonary Hypertension of the National Center for Cardiology and Therapy Akpay Sarybayev said at a press conference.

According to him, in the fight for the health of citizens, it is necessary to toughen legislation against smokers. Smoking is one of the most important factors in the progression of lung and cardiovascular diseases. Mortality from heart diseases among smokers is higher by 70 percent than in nonsmokers, and the life of a malicious smoker is 8-15 years shorter.

However, «about 45 percent of the adult population of Kyrgyzstan smokes and the ban on smoking in public places is not respected.» «We propose to completely ban smoking in public places like cafes, restaurants and bars,» Akpay Sarybayev said.

He added that anti-tobacco measures include a warning about the harm of tobacco, protection of people from passive smoking and ensuring observance of the ban on advertising of tobacco products.

«It is important to take measures at the highest level and to instil a healthy lifestyle culture,» he concluded.