Smoking is one of the leading modifiable risk factors for human health. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 8 million people worldwide die each year because of active or passive smoking. Most of these deaths are the result of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

Despite numerous anti-smoking campaigns, the decline in the number of smokers has slowed in recent decades and has reached a plateau. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2025, one billion people worldwide will still be smoking, while the European Union, within the framework of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, has set a goal to reduce the proportion of smokers in the total population to 5% by the year 2040. 

Considering all the above, AmCham aims to use this position paper to give a comprehensive overview of the current state of play in Croatia, analyze existing measures and policies, and propose concrete actions to ensure a faster and more effective response to this public health challenge.

In addition to regulation, Croatia implements a range of measures and programs aimed at preventing smoking and supporting cessation. However, the reach and availability of these programs are not sufficient to provide support to all smokers who want to quit, help those who have successfully managed to quit to prevent relapse, and to protect non-smokers. Preventing smoking initiation among minors is key to reducing future prevalence, while intensive public health initiatives that raise awareness of the harms of smoking and encourage cessation are essential to addressing this ongoing public health challenge.

In accordance with all the above, the position paper proposes the following recommendations for a faster and more effective response to this public health challenge:

• National Strategy Against Smoking
• Enhancing the support system for smokers
• Improvement of prevention programs
• Improving the national legislative framework
• Encouraging research on the new generation of tobacco and nicotine products
• Introducing a new category in the Central Health Information System of the Republic of Croatia (CEZIH)
• Product compliance control