Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Smoking poses a threat to national security

Photo: BNR

On the World No Tobacco Day on May 31, data has been announced that in the first 4 months of 2020 alone, more than 11,000 people died in Bulgaria from consequences of smoking. For the same period, the victims of Covid-19 were 68, the Bluelink Foundation announced. That is why the organization calls for the establishment of an inter-ministerial council for an effective anti-smoking policy. 

According to Dr. Mihail Okoliiski, a representative of the World Health Organization's office in Bulgaria, the country ranks first among 45 European countries in the number of smokers aged 11-13 and second in terms of young smokers aged 13 to 15. This is also a threat to national security, because it directly affects the birth rate, Okoliyski said.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

PM Rosen Zhelyazkov (L) and GERB leader Boyko Borissov.

GERB and DPS-New Beginning rule out early elections

‘This is not the time for early elections,’ said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at a GERB party conference. According to BTA, he was opposed to holding elections during the country’s planned adoption of the euro in 2026. GERB chairman Boyko..

published on 10/17/25 1:12 PM
Blagomir Kotsev

Appellate Court-Sofia leaves Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev in custody

The Sofia Appellate Court left in custody Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, who is charged with corruption and participation in an organized crime group.  The judgment is final. One of the three judges, Andrey Angelov, signed with a dissenting..

published on 10/17/25 11:03 AM

Justice Minister Georgiev discusses with the EC legislative changes related to the new payment under the RRP

Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev conferred in Brussels with the European Commission team responsible for the Resilience and Recovery Plan (RRP) reforms in Bulgaria, reported the Ministry of Justice. EC: RRP payment depends on..

published on 10/17/25 9:51 AM