For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.com <br />Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision <br />Add us on Facebook ☛ http://facebook.com/NTDTelevision <br /><br />Ukraine is one of the worst European countries for smoking related diseases, with many kids taking on smoking as a fashion statement. Yet there is a recent positive trend—the number of smokers in Ukraine is gradually falling. <br /><br />Ukraine has one of the highest numbers of smokers in Europe, with most people starting by the age of 12. <br /><br />Doctors say smoking-related diseases kill around 100,000 people each year. <br /><br />But according to the Ministry of Health, the number of smokers in Ukraine has decreased by 5% in the last year, compared with the previous year. <br /><br />The main reasons may be the increase in excise taxes and the prices of tobacco products, the restriction on public smoking and the prohibition of direct advertising. <br /><br />[Olesya Orobets, Member of Parliament]: (female, Ukrainian) <br />"Statistics prove that a partial ban has lead to a reduction of smoking in 12% of society, a complete ban is what we are seeking—a reduction of around 24%." <br /><br />In Kyiv, smoking is banned in playgrounds, parks, bus stops and other public places. Anyone caught smoking in public places can be fined up to 340 hryvnia or around $43. <br /><br />[Taras Shevchenko, Smoke-Free Kyiv]: (male, Ukrainian) <br />"The Smoke-Free Kyiv project surveyed 100 bars and restaurants on how effective the law against smoking has been enforced. We found that 79% of people are violating this law. And 10% of places have nowhere set aside for non-smokers." <br /><br />The Interior Ministry says violators have paid smoking fines totaling around $1-million hryvnia—more than $125,000—in the run up to last year. <br /><br />[A resident of Kyiv]: (female, Russian) <br />"Make it so it’s unfashionable. Because a high percentage of smokers start smoking by saying it’s fashionable. And then the kids just can’t refuse smoking. " <br /><br />NTD News, Kyiv, Ukraine.
