Kosovo Launches Youth-Focused Anti-Tobacco Initiative to Address Rising Smoking Rates

Concerns over increasing tobacco use among young people in Kosovo have prompted institutional action, as the National Institute of Public Health, in cooperation with relevant ministries, introduced a new initiative targeting adolescents. Ardita Baraku, Executive Director of the institute, highlighted the rise in youth smoking rates (niveli i pirjes së duhanit tek të rinjtë) and pointed to the continued influence of tobacco marketing strategies (strategji marketingu të duhanit) aimed at younger audiences.

Speaking during a televised appearance, Baraku referred to recent data indicating a growing number of smokers among individuals aged 13 to 15. This trend has raised concerns about long-term public health outcomes, as early exposure to tobacco is closely linked to sustained consumption. The data reflects broader challenges in controlling tobacco consumption (konsum i duhanit) within younger populations.

In addition to traditional smoking, attention has shifted toward emerging products such as electronic cigarettes. Baraku emphasized that these devices present a new form of risk, particularly due to their design and appeal. The increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (cigare elektronike) among adolescents is associated with perceptions of reduced harm, despite concerns about their health effects and addictive potential.

To address these issues, a collaborative project has been launched involving the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. The initiative focuses on engaging students directly through a creative approach, encouraging participation in public health campaigns (fushata të shëndetit publik) within the educational system. The project targets students in grades 6 to 9 across Kosovo.

As part of the initiative, students are invited to create visual and digital content conveying anti-smoking messages. Submissions may include drawings, videos, or animations, all designed to raise awareness about the risks of tobacco use. This approach aims to foster student engagement (angazhim i nxënësve) while integrating health education into everyday school activities.

Selected works will be featured in awareness campaigns and public exhibitions, providing students with visibility and recognition. Participants whose projects stand out will receive certificates acknowledging their role as “Public Health Ambassadors,” reinforcing the importance of community awareness (ndërgjegjësim komunitar) in addressing public health challenges.

Baraku stated, "We plan to hold an exhibition or presentation of the works around the date of the central event, providing media space for these young individuals to share their motivations and reflections. This initiative not only empowers young people but also facilitates discussions about smoking in classrooms, allowing teachers and students to highlight the harms of smoking and the benefits of quitting, even if some students currently smoke."

The initiative also seeks to create an environment where open discussions about smoking can take place within schools and families. By encouraging dialogue, authorities aim to strengthen preventive education (edukim parandalues) and help young people understand the consequences of tobacco use while supporting one another in making healthier choices.

Baraku added, "The aim is to engage all young people and make smoking a topic of discussion, enabling them to learn about themselves, support one another, and recognize the importance of citizen cooperation in public health."

The broader objective of the project is to reduce smoking rates among youth by combining education, creativity, and peer interaction. By involving students directly, the initiative reflects a shift toward participatory strategies in addressing public health issues, emphasizing long-term behavioral change and collective responsibility.

Key Albanian Vocabulary

niveli i pirjes së duhanit tek të rinjtë youth smoking rates
strategji marketingu të duhanit tobacco marketing strategies
konsum i duhanit tobacco consumption
cigare elektronike electronic cigarettes
fushata të shëndetit publik public health campaigns
angazhim i nxënësve student engagement
ndërgjegjësim komunitar community awareness
edukim parandalues preventive education

Youth engagement and awareness campaigns play a key role in addressing tobacco use among adolescents.