Issues Georgia
Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of Georgia. Every year, more than 7100 of its people are killed bytobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 2000 children (10-14 years old) and 667000 adults (15+ years old) continue to usetobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in Georgia and ensuresthat tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities andresources to strengthen their efforts and create change.
Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)
% using tobacco daily: 2015
Male
38.9%More men smoke in Georgia than onaverage in high-HDI countries.
Female
3.8%More women smoke in Georgia than onaverage in high-HDI countries.
Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)
% using tobacco daily: 2015
Boys
2.01%More boys smoke in Georgia than onaverage in high-HDI countries.
Girls
0.51%Even though fewer girls smoke in Georgiathan on average in high-HDI countries,there are still more than 400 girls whosmoke cigarettes each day, making it signof an ongoing and dire public health threat.
Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016
Male
23.13%More men die in Georgia than on averagein high-HDI countries.
Female
5.71%More women die in Georgia than onaverage in high-HDI countries.
Societal Harms
The economic cost of smoking in Georgia amounts to 619million lari. This includes direct costs related to healthcareexpenditures and indirect costs related to lost productivitydue to early mortality and morbidity.
Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013
0.6% Even though fewer people use smokelesstobacco on average in Georgia than onaverage in high-HDI countries, 18500 peoplestill currently use smokeless tobacco,indicating an ongoing public health challenge,including heightened levels of oral cancers.
Industry
The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, 2432%larger than the Gross National Income of Georgia. Theindustry is a powerful force that does not fear the actions ofnation-states because of their extensive resources andglobal market power.
Growing
There were less than1000 metric tons oftobacco produced inGeorgia in 2014.Tobacco growing is onlya small fraction ofagriculture in Georgia,with only 0.03% ofagricultural landdevoted to tobaccocultivation.
Production
There were 1.51billion cigarettesproduced in Georgiain 2016. Cigaretteimports exceededcigarette exports inGeorgia in 2016,which hurt thecountry's tradebalance.
ta6.org/country/georgia
Solutions Georgia
Current Policy in GeorgiaProtect from Smoke
All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice
Smokefree
HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities
Universities Government Facilities
Indoor Offices Restaurants
Pubs and Bars Public Transport
All Other Indoor PublicPlaces
Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement
Raise Taxes
WHO BenchmarkMinimum
70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax
Georgia
55.95%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax
Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice
Quitting Resources NRT and/or some cessation services (at least one of which is cost-covered)
National Quitline Yes
Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice
Type of Warning Label Graphic
Percent of Pack Covered 65%
Plain Packaging Yes
Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign
Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes
Appropriate Characteristics
Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes
Pre-Tested With The Target Audience Yes
Target Audience Research Was Conducted Yes
Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes
Utilized Media Planning Yes
Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign Yes
Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation Yes
Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness Yes
Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice
Number of DirectAd Bans
7/7possible bans
Number ofIndirect Ad Bans
8/10possible bans
Ad Ban CompliancePercent
High
Direct bans
• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Local magazines andnewspapers• International magazinesand newspapers• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising at point of sale• Advertising on internet
Indirect bans
• Free distribution in mail or through other means• Promotional discounts• Non-tobacco products identified with tobacco brand names• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco brands (product placement)• Appearance in TV and/or films: tobacco products• Complete ban on sponsorship• Any form of contribution (financial or other support) to any event,activity or individual• Ban on the publicity of financial or other sponsorship or support bythe tobacco industry of events, activities, individuals
ta6.org/country/georgia