Tuesday, March 23 1999
Thank you Eva for accepting our " rendez-vous ". May I ask you to introduce yourself ?
I am an MD and a PhD. I work with the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the Charles University of Prague in the Czech Republic. I have been involved in tobacco control over 10 years now.
1. You recently put on Globalink a document about the national tobacco control plan implemented in the Czech Republic. At one point you mention the creation in June 1998 of a "Czech coalition against Tobacco" with about 30 members, mostly NGO's. Could you give us more details about this initiative?
This initiative was created after recommendations of WHO and European Network for Smoking Prevention, mainly the German coalition against tobacco. We plan to meet twice a year. In April we will have a "Coalition Day" in the frame of an health educational seminar.
2. In the Czech Republic "the real price of a cigarette pack unfortunately decreased since 1989". Can you explain why?
The State in not interested in increasing the price of tobacco products. Now taxes represent 58% of the retail price: the excise tax is 36% plus 22% for the added value tax. The average price of a pack is 1 Euro, that is about one dollar.
The tobacco industry (PM is the main tobacco producer in CR, they have largest factory) does a "good" job in lobbying (and paying) MPs and journalists.
The tobacco companies supported each of the main political parties, giving away several millions of crowns.
3. According to your data smoking prevalence is growing for kids 13-16. Is this a political issue?
Are the government, the media, concerned?
As mentioned above they have a close relationship with the tobacco industry. We now have a supportive Minister of Health and a draft of a complex tobacco control law is prepared and listed for 2,000 in the Parliament.
4. For the moment tobacco advertising is still allowed (except on TV). Do you have any idea of the money spent by the industry in advertising and promotion? Is it highly visible?
We do not know the amount of money spent by the tobacco companies, but it is highly visible - mainly billboards, nice items like umbrellas, clocks... Philip Morris also promotes a Czech version of the "Adult Decision" Project.
5. What about smoke-free environments?
How is smoking restricted in the Czech Republic?
How are the eventual restrictions enforced?
Is this an important part of your national tobacco control plan or not a priority at all?
Schools, hospitals, public transportation, are theoretically smoke-free environments; smoking is banned in public places except for a few exceptions.
But there is no enforcement, so it is not very effective.
A better protection is part of the mentioned draft of a complex tobacco control law.
Thank you Eva for taking the time to be with us today.
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