Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of deaths by major non-communicable diseases such as ischemic heart diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) around the world. In 2003, deaths in Uzbekistan were due to blood circulation diseases (28%), ischemic hearth disease (27%), respiratory diseases (9%), and cancer (7%). This is not surprising based on the evidence by the Ministry of Economics, Center for the Tax and Fiscal Policy, which estimates that 34.7% of Uzbek population smokes cigarettes. And, smoking is on the increase. The Ministry of Economy in 2003 reported that smoking prevalence has increased 7% between 2001 and 2002, and 7.5% between 2002 and 2003 alone. High smoking prevalence rate among youth is especially alarming. In 2003, 16% of 15 to 16 years old youth, and 30.4% of 18 to 21 years old young Uzbeks smoke cigarettes. When we include prevalence of naswhy use, the total prevalence rate for tobacco use can be expected to be much higher. As you know, social norms regarding tobacco use among women and youth are changing fast around the globe, including Uzbekistan. What should be done? One of the most cost-effective ways of reducing epidemic is to increase excise taxes on tobacco products. Higher excise taxes would generate more revenues for the government, while reducing smoking prevalence and the consumption level. Today most developed and OECD countries have very high tax rates on tobacco products (60% to 80%). Tax rates in Uzbekistan are in line with the neighboring countries but much lower than average rates for low income countries (17% excise, 28% total tax on average price for a pack of cigarettes). Furthermore, the MOH in collaboration with other ministries have prepared a National Tobacco Control Plan in line with the WHO, Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) provisions. Tobacco control is a high priority for the World Bank and therefore it works closely with the Government of Uzbekistan (especially the Ministry of Health) on efforts to prevent rise in tobacco-attributable diseases. Below is more detailed description of activities which already have taken place.  | December 13, 2007 - The “Tobacco or Health” Seminar was held in Tashkent. Seminar was organized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan in collaboration with the World Bank and WHO. Read more |  | March 10, 2006 - press-conference with experts from WHO, IMF and World Bank on the issues of tobacco control in the country - where we stand? Read more |  | March 9-10, 2006 - national conference to discuss draft National Plan for Tobacco Control Available documents:
FCTC Provisions - English version (5.3MB, MS PowerPoint)
FCTC Provisions - Russian version (7.7MB, MS PowerPoint) |  | March 6-7, 2006 - seminar on “Economic Implications of Tobacco Tax Policy and Options”. The seminar was jointly arranged with the International Monetary Fund and the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan. Read more |  | October 14, 2005 – press-conference on tobacco measures to reduce youth access and prevalence of cigarette and smokeless tobacco use in Uzbekistan.
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