WHO Urges Georgia to Counter Weakening Tobacco Regulation Policy

The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised the Georgian parliament to resist a legislative act that would weaken the tobacco control policy.

A bill currently scheduled in parliament would allow the sale of tobacco in quantities half of what they are allowed today. WHO advises that this will surge the obtainability of tobacco mainly for the youth and the less unfortunate population.

“We are grateful to Georgia for its continued commitment to a strong tobacco control policy aimed at protecting the health and economic well-being of the country's population from the harm caused by tobacco use, […] Georgia is still one of the leaders in the European region in terms of tobacco consumption. In particular, one-third of the adult population and 15 per cent of young people consume tobacco, and the country loses about 2.4 per cent of GDP each year due to tobacco use,” states the WHO. The WHO rightfully claims that the tobacco industry is exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and is trying to deteriorate the tobacco control legislation, thus further popularizing their product.

Georgia has executed the European Parliaments and European Councils directives of ‘selling no less than 100 grams of cigarettes and 50 grams of tobacco’ in packages.