One in five Bhutanese are exposed to second-hand smoke or passive smoking at home. In addition, more than half of the Bhutanese are passive smokers in their workplace. This is according to the National Health Survey 2023. According to the World Health Organisation, passive smoking causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases including heart disease and lung cancer. Health minister Tandin Wangchuk, at the Meet the Press said the government plans to collaborate with Royal Bhutan Police and other stakeholders to curb smoking in public areas.
The National Health Survey 2023 shows that passive smoking at home increased from a little over 13 per cent in 2019 to more than 18 per cent last year.
Likewise, passive smoking at workplaces increased from 41 to 51 per cent during the same period.
While some section of the society seem to be aware of the negative effects of passive smoking, some say there are certain segment of the population that are ignorant of these ill effects.
Lhakpa Sherpa, a resident of Thimphu said “If we smoke in open areas, it affects both children and adults who do not smoke. I have seen people smoking in open areas without a care as if they are allowed to smoke in public spaces.”
Som Maya Subba, another resident said “From my perspective, I have not seen people smoking in public places. I have only seen people smoking in designated smoking areas.”
Additionally, a little over 31 per cent of Bhutanese aged 15-69 are tobacco users. Of it, over 14 per cent are smoking and 21 per cent are using smokeless tobacco products.
According to the survey, tobacco use has also increased in Bhutan.
Smoke tobacco users increased from close to 11 per cent in 2019 to over 14 per cent last year. The number of smokeless tobacco users grew from nearly 15 to little over 21 per cent during the same period.
According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco kills more than eight million people each year, including an estimated 1.2 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.
Tobacco is the major risk factor of most of the non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases along with cancer.
Considering the health implications of tobacco use, the Health Minister said the ministry will strengthen the enforcement of no smoking in public spaces such as commercial centres, recreation centres, public gatherings, institutions, public transport, and monasteries.
“In the past, since it was not legal to sell, the number of people smoking tobacco was low but since it is legal now, we face significant challenges. We are talking with the Royal Bhutan Police and as per section three of the Tobacco Control Act 2010, we are going to strictly implement ‘no smoking in public areas.”
In addition, he added, the ministry will collaborate with other relevant ministries strengthen advocacy programmes on the adverse health effect of tobacco use.
World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control mandates governments to protect public health from the vested and commercial interests of the tobacco industry.
Moreover, it recommends strengthening tax structures of tobacco and raising the tax to control use of tobacco.
Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk said “One thing we can do is increase the tobacco tax, but even if we raise the tax, the black market will increase. Therefore, we need to consider all aspects as we do not have much issue of black market as of now. We are considering a multi-sectoral approach. ”
WHO estimates that more than 400 people die every year due to tobacco related diseases in Bhutan.
Singye Dema
Edited by Phub Gyem
