Prime Minister Iurie Leanca today received the highest award of the World Health Organisation for the achievements in the field of tobacco control. WHO Regional Director for Europe Zsuszanna Jakab offered the prize, consisting of a medal and certificate of appreciation.  

Leanca thanked for this distinction, which represents an encouragement and recognition of the efforts Chisinau-based authorities are making. At the same time, the prime minister said that promoting a healthy lifestyle was a priority for the Moldovan authorities. "It is important to take over the expertise and best practices of Western countries in the field of health, and European integration also includes a healthy lifestyle, high quality water and better living conditions," said the official.

For her part, Zsuszanna Jakab congratulated Iurie Leanca for his achievements in the fight against smoking. "You achieved great results and personally contributed to conferring a very high importance to tobacco control on the political agenda," said the WHO regional director for Europe.

The officials also agreed to continue cooperation in health care.

Prime Minister Iurie Leanca is among the 37 people awarded in the world: representatives of governments, institutions or organisations that registered progress in the fight against smoking. Only five people received this distinction in the European region.

The World Health Organisation gives awards to personalities from around the world who have been active in tobacco control every year. The award has been given since 1988.

The government, led by Iurie Leanca, approved an unprecedented decision for Moldova on tobacco control on 17 December 2013. The draft bans smoking in enclosed and semi-enclosed public places, at work and in public transport and introduce penalties both for the managers of these areas where smoking is prohibited, and for smokers. http://www.gov.md/libview.php?l=ro&idc=436&id=7116

Shortly thereafter, Prime Minister Iurie Leanca launched a campaign against smoking. The prime minister appeared in a video spot encouraging people to quit smoking and warning about the dangerous effects of tobacco on health. Iurie Leanca warned that Moldova reached the fourth place in Europe with regard to the number of smokers, with nearly 750,000 nicotine dependent citizens. http://www.gov.md/libview.php?l=ro&idc=436&id=7179