Abstract
Background The fundamental human rights and principles of Article 8 of the WHO FCTC requires implementation of a 100% smoke free environment by means of total elimination of smoking in public places. In Kazakstan, these principles have been only partially addressed by the Health Act (2009) which allows designated smoking rooms in places of “public eating” where food is served whilst other public places must to be smokefree. Methods Our objective was to evaluate smokefree environment by obtaining and analyzing published and unpublished data on second hand smoking (SHS) exposure in public places in Kazakstan. Few survey have been analyzed: officially published GATS (N=4425) and GYTS (N=2083) conducted in 2014 by the National Healthy lifestyle center (HLSC) and the unpublished GYTS 2013 (N=2085) and 2015(N=2085) were conducted among Almaty teenagers within “Smokefree Almaty” program. Results Country wide GATS showed that 27.6% of adults are exposed to SHS in public eating places (bars, restaurants, café) and 19% are exposed in enclosed public places. Partially published GYTS 2014 data provided by HLSC showed high SHS exposure in teenagers in open public places (29.3%) and enclosed public places (26.5%) followed by less exposure in homes (18.2%). GYTS unpublished surveys among Almaty teenagers who demonstrates the highest smoking rate (9%) also suggest that most SHS exposure happens in open public places (25.4% in 2013 and 26.6% in 2015). Almost equal SHS exposure to teenagers revealed at home (16.4% in 2013 and 16.7% in 2015) and enclosed public places (14% in 2013 and 12.5% in 2015) of Almaty. Conclusions Nearly 30% of Kazakstani adults and teenagers are exposed to SHS in open public places, 20% at home and 12,5% - 26,5% in enclosed public places. It demonstrates that partial smoking ban has not eliminated from SHS which undermines implementation of 100% smokefree environment and FCTC country agenda.