November is observed as COPD Awareness Month, and to mark this occasion, Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA) students organized an event at the Academy. The event included an interactive session and educational activities, the aim of which was to raise awareness about the toxins contained in cigarettes, as well as to highlight the impact of cigarettes on lung function.

The interactive session was led by Nino Maglakelidze, Consultant for Chronic Respiratory Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office and independent consultant in the field of tobacco control. The speaker introduced the audience to the research related to tobacco use among young people in the European Region and Georgia. She focused on statistical data, behavioral trends of the population and factors that contribute to the initiation of smoking at a young age.

The session was not only informative, but also practical. The students received specific recommendations on how young people can contribute to the creation of a healthy environment in educational institutions and public spaces.

One of the organizers of the event was Ekaterina Lunina, a 3rd year student of TMA, who is also an anti-tobacco activist. In addition, she is a registered nurse in Australia. According to her, Australia has quite clean air, free from tobacco smoke. This is due to the fact that the legislation and sanctions in this direction are strict. “Recently, due to frequent exposure to tobacco smoke, I have had to use asthma medications. Although I have not used them for more than 15 years and felt fine without them. In addition, I am very concerned about seeing so many people, including children, who are forced to become passive smokers. Especially since during my work in the hospital I took care of many patients suffering from COPD and other diseases caused by tobacco. Unfortunately, many of them died after long and serious illnesses. This is what inspired me to advocate more actively on this issue,” said Ekaterina Lunina.