26 SEPTEMBER 2019

PHRC holds training on “Monitoring of tobacco control measures” with participation of health workers

.On September 25, 2019, training on “Monitoring of tobacco control measures” was held at the Public Health and Reforms Centre (PHRC) of the Ministry of Health within the framework of the project “Improvement of multisectoral tobacco control mechanisms in Azerbaijan”. Representatives of the Republican Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health and public health professionals participated in the training.

Sabina Babazade, Head of Project Coordination Department of  PHRC, said with the introductory speech that the implementation of the Law "On the Restrictions on the Use of Tobacco Products" in our country is a very important step in the field of protecting health of the population: "The purpose of this law, signed by Mr. President, is protection of health of people who do not use tobacco products, as well as of people who use tobacco products, because consequences of smoking in indoor spaces are more severe and more dangerous. This is the essence of the ban on smoking in public places, offices and businesses, indoors.”

Tofig Musayev, Head of Population Health Department of PHRC, stressed in a broad presentation that smoking is the leading risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death in the world: “According to statistics released by the World Health Organization, tobacco kills 8 million people each year. 1 million of them are passive smokers, that is, they are the result of non-smokers being exposed to harmful effects of second-hand smoke”.

Adil Valiyev, Head of Social Legislation Department at the Apparatus of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, emphasized the importance of purposeful tobacco control measures and urged everyone to contribute to this work.

Laura Guliyeva, Head of Health Communication Department of  PHRC, said that promotion and propaganda, educational activities, printed materials play a big role in tobacco control. “Modern tools are also used to help people get rid of this harmful habit and to reduce the use of tobacco in our country year by year.”Quit Smoking" mobile application developed by the PHRC with the support of the World Health Organization Country Office is a useful tool for those who want to get rid of this bad habit.

Shahla Mirzazade, Head of  Health Policy and Planning Department of PHRC, made a comprehensive presentation on "Monitoring of Tobacco Control Measures - Basic Principles and Recommendations" and provided detailed information on the results of observational research in places where smoking is prohibited.”

At the end of the training, questions of the participants were answered and suggestions were heard.

Then active participants of the training were awarded certificates.

You can see the photos from the event here.