The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The first Bulgarian public awareness campaign for tobacco control policy development was held by Bulgarian Association for School Health. " Let's think about it...“ targeted national and local institutions and organizations, which are responsible for youth health as well as national and regional media. The main two goals were:1 Use the media to create public awareness of the significant smoking prevalence among youth under the age of 18. 2 Raise the policymakers` awareness about the current situation and advocate for tobacco control policy development.

Methods: An advocacy campaign on national level to introduce health education at school and an advocacy campaign on local level were carried out to introduce effective restriction measures on the sale of tobacco products to youth. Ad hoc coalition was set up with Local Educational Authorities, Regional Hygiene Inspectorates, NGOs, etc. Information materials (posters and newsletters) were published and distributed. A media campaign and the campaign statement was presented to the Parliament.

Results: 1 The current smoking prevalence among the youth in Bulgaria requires the development of an effective tobacco control policy. 2 The State institutions do not perceive the tobacco smoking among the youth as a serious health, economical and social problem. 3 The local organizations tend to support and participate in local initiatives and campaigns for restricting the tobacco smoking among the young people. 4 The media is very sensitive and responsive to the problems of tobacco smoking among the young people and is willing to take part in public education and advocacy campaigns.