Tatarstan President: We should strongly fight against tobacco smoking and alcoholism

Additional measures on lowering abuse of alcohol, beer and tobacco and forming healthy way of life in Tatarstan have been discussed today at session of RT Cabinet Presidium with participation of RT President Rustam Minnikhanov. The session was conducted by Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov.

RT Minister of health care Airat Farrakhov made the key report. By his words, upon the whole alcohol consumption in republic has reduced for the last few years, but rates of beer consumption are even more than in Volga Federal District and Russia. Alcohol consumption increased 1,8 times since 1990 to 2008.

Tobacco smoking is also a very urgent problem. One third of population in the world smokes. That makes 1 bln. people. 200 millions of them are women. About 70 % of men and 17 % of women smoke in Russia. Smoking of children and youth is becoming a serious national problem as well. The average age when children get used to smoking is 10 for boys and 12 for girls. Every ten pupil in Russia suffer from tobacco abuse and health problems. For the last three years a number of drug abuse diseases has decreased.

By words of Airat Farrakhov, formation of healthy way of life became a new area of priority national project “Zdorovie”. 14 health centres opened in Tatarstan.

Alcoholism may cause serious problems, human loss, damage social sphere, demographic and economic development.

The minister considers that prohibition of selling alcohol at night time and weekends may become the step for dealing with the problem.

Head of State alcohol inspection Igor Marchenko supported the opinion of Airat Farrakhov.

Head of Tatarstan government asked officials of enforcement bodies to intensify the work on fighting against drinking alcohol in public places and smoking.