Rising Cypriot Smoking Rate

As reported by the Ministry of Health, 10.5% of females and 38.1% of men light up, according to Parikiaki. During yesterday's anti-smoking campaign press conference, regarding No Smoking Day held on May 31st, the Ministry of Health referenced the island's first place ranking for cigarette smoking and smoking-affiliated cardiac arrests in the European Union.

According to the Ministry's data, many quitters return to the habit after several years. In Europe 17.2% of smokers continue after suffering a heart-related accident; in Cyprus the figure is 23.5%. Approximately 650,000 Europeans die each year due to smoking. Cyprus' Law Office is studying a bill that demands harsher punishments for smoking in public locations.

Minister of Health Philippos Patsalis stated that quitting clinics have assisted 348 help requests since June of last year; this marks a concretely larger amount of responses compared to recent years. In 2012, 2,112 deaths occurred as a result of heart disease in Cyprus, that were all tobacco associated. A Cypriot action plan has been formed that inspires smokers to quit and aims at a smoke-free atmosphere.