Serbia marks anti-smoking day

Belgrade, Jan 31, 2004 - Every second man and every third woman in Serbia are smokers, exposing 97 percent of children to second-hand smoke every day, it was said at the performance "Less nicotine - more vitamin," held at Belgrade's central square to mark the national smoke-free day.

According to the National Smoking Prevention Committee, 71 percent of children have at least one parent who is a smoker. Over 55 percent of schoolchildren between 13 and 15 years of age have tried a cigarette, with 17 percent of them actively smoking.

The performance was organised by the Serbian Ministry of Health and the Stari Grad municipality of Belgrade, with representatives of the ministry and the National Smoking Prevention Committee handing out anti-smoking flyers, fruit, and candies.