Many countries around the world are actively fighting smoking. Most governments issue laws restricting tobacco use in public places and beyond. Despite this, the number of smokers, according to WHO, reaches more than a billion people. Most of them are men. Below is a list of the most smokers in the world.
11. Montenegro
In this country, there is a ban on smoking in public places, while the restriction is valid only when such a place is an enclosed space. Smoking is allowed on the street. Therefore, smokers feel quite free here.
10. Belarus
This state is not just on the list of smoking countries. On its territory there is a restriction on smoking in public places, which is practically not observed by anyone. In 2013, authorities introduced a limit on cigarette production. At that time, no more than 33 billion pieces could be produced in a year. What is enough to get into this rating.
9. Bosnia and Herzegovina
The low standard of living in this country contributes to the development of bad habits. The price of tobacco here is considered the lowest in comparison with Europe. Although more than 40% of the population of this country are considered unemployed, the number of cigarettes consumed per year does not decrease. Anti-tobacco laws do not work well on the Balkan Peninsula. Bosnia and Herzegovina has been on the list of the most smoking countries in the world for many years.
8. Slovenia
The government has been fighting smoking for many years. Recently, laws have been introduced restricting smoking on the street and in crowded places, special attention is paid to the sale of cigarettes, it is strictly forbidden to sell tobacco to minors. Thanks to such legislation, the consumption of tobacco products has slightly decreased in the country, but still it is included in this rating.
7. Ukraine
Another state included in the ranking of the most smoking countries in the world. In Ukraine, an anti-nicotine policy has been pursued for several years. It is forbidden to smoke on the street, indoors and on trains, underpasses, at stops. The authorities also increased excise taxes as part of the fight against smoking. This policy has helped the country reduce the percentage of smokers, whose number is steadily decreasing.
6. Moldova
The country has strict smoking bans in crowded places. However, smokers from this does not become less. And although residents of the state comply with all laws, cigarette consumption per year per person does not decrease.
5 most smoking countries in the world
- RF In 2013, an anti-nicotine company began to operate in the country: smoking bans were introduced in public places, and phrases about the dangers of tobacco and pictures showing the effects of smoking on the body were printed on packs. And although the Russian Federation is included in this rating, nevertheless, the WHO does not consider that Russia is the most smoking country in the world.
- Greece. In this state, the anti-nicotine company is completely ignored. Laws on banning smoking in crowded places have been adopted more than once, but they didn’t scare anyone, the inhabitants of the country simply do not comply with them.
- Bulgaria. Anti-tobacco policy has been in force in this country since 2010. It is forbidden to show a cigarette in public places, and not only on the street, but also in enclosed spaces. Smoking in the country is possible only in special places. Such severe restrictions did not help to reduce the percentage of smokers, the state ranks third from the five most smokers in the world.
- Serbia Another state located on the Balkan Peninsula is on the list of heavy smokers. Here, more cigarettes are smoked annually than in neighboring countries. The Serbian government has a strict anti-tobacco policy, for the violation of laws related to smoking, there are decent fines. Despite this, the country is one of the leaders among all the states of the world.
- On the first place in the list of the most smoking countries in the world is China. According to statistics, residents of this state smoke a third of all cigarettes produced in the world. China has a high percentage of deaths from smoking-related illnesses. The government is not very successful in combating tobacco use. Perhaps the reason for this is the monopolization of the tobacco market by the state. In many regions, cigarette manufacturers replenish the budget for decent amounts. More than 10 years have passed since China entered the WHO Convention on Tobacco Control, and nicotine consumption has increased by almost 40% over that time.
Countries not listed
The previous ranking provided statistics on countries leading in tobacco consumption. As is the case in other states, consider below:
- Finland was not included in the list of the most smoking countries in the world because it began its fight against nicotine back in 1977. It was then that the first anti-tobacco law was adopted, while in other countries they did not even think about it. At the moment, in the country you can smoke only at home, in the event that smoke does not interfere with neighbors, and in nature, in places far from people. In Finland, decent fines have been introduced for smoking in the wrong place, and minor smokers can go to jail for breaking the law.
- In the UK, you can only smoke at home, in nature, in a hotel and in prison. For the use of tobacco in other places, you can get a decent fine. And if a smoker is caught with a cigarette in the stadium, they will have to pay about 5 times more than usual.
- For residents of India, laws on smoking are not scary. They smoke right here under the ban signs. This can be explained by low fines for violating the law, they amount to about the same amount as a pack of cigarettes.
- In Ireland, authorities have also banned smoking in crowded places, including restaurants, bars and pubs on this list. And so that the owners of the institutions were not tempted to make halls for smokers, fines of € 10,000 were introduced.
- Sweden. It introduced a law similar to Irish. But the authorities did not take into account the fact that the country has legislation allowing the owners of private clubs to establish their own rules for visitors.
- In Germany, taxis were included in the list of prohibited smoking areas, drivers of which can pay a decent fine for breaking the law.
- France is more loyal to the nicotine-dependent population. Here you can smoke at home, outdoors, on board the ship and on the veranda of the cafe. As a result, even during disgusting weather, the street verandas of the establishments are filled with people, while the non-smoking rooms are even empty.
- While in Japan, you need to look for not only a sign that allows smoking, but also pay attention to its color. For example, pink says that only the female sex can smoke here. In addition, the state has entire streets where smoking is prohibited. Penalties for breaking the law go up to $ 500. But tourists can get rid of it, explaining that they do not know the rules.
- USA. This country has a special attitude to smoking in every state. Therefore, going to travel to this state, it is necessary to carefully study the legislation of the country. For example, having a smoke next to the baby, you can go to prison for a whole year, regardless of citizenship.
- Australia. More recently, this country has embarked on a path to tobacco control. The authorities of this state are going to introduce a ban on advertising cigarettes, and on packs to print awesome pictures.
Now we know which country is the smokest in the world, and how the authorities of most states fight smokers. You can add here that May 31 is celebrated World No Tobacco Day.