Smoking cessation in Serbia: barriers and opportunities
1
Office for Smoking Prevention, Institute of Public Health of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
2
Center for Health Promotion, Institute of Public Health of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
3
Institute of Public Health of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1792
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Smoking cessation is a core component of effective tobacco control and a key obligation under Article 14 of the WHO FCTC. Serbia, middle income country in Europe, reports a high prevalence of smoking, underscoring the importance of understanding both population and system level interventions to support cessation. The aim of this study was to examine barriers and opportunities for strengthening smoking cessation in Serbia, with a particular focus on smokers’ readiness to quit, and the availability of cessation measures within the health system.
METHODS:
The analysis was based on data from nationally representative general population survey conducted in 2023 among adults aged 18–64 years in Serbia, assessing smoking status and readiness to quit. In addition, to understand structural barriers a desk analysis was conducted of other relevant data and available smoking cessation measures, including a review of relevant laws, by-laws and strategic documents defining cessation policies and services.
RESULTS:
Among adults aged 18–64 years, 34.1% currently smoke; 73.2% of them do not expect to ever quit smoking, 3,4% are in contemplation phase. Women, younger adults, and those from higher affluent families, more frequently reported they would like to quit smoking. From a system perspective, smoking cessation support is fragmented. Data found through desk review shown high prevalence of smoking among health professionals (35,2%) and only 30% of smokers report receiving advice to quit from a healthcare professional. Although counselling services and pharmacological treatments are available, Serbia lacks standardized national clinical guidelines for smoking cessation, and services are unevenly implemented. In addition, smoking related social norms are barrier as well.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening smoking cessation in Serbia requires addressing both behavioural and structural barriers. Interventions should expand access to evidence-based cessation support, and integrate cessation more systematically into healthcare practice to reduce inequalities and increase successful quit attempts.
Smoking cessation is a core component of effective tobacco control and a key obligation under Article 14 of the WHO FCTC. Serbia, middle income country in Europe, reports a high prevalence of smoking, underscoring the importance of understanding both population and system level interventions to support cessation. The aim of this study was to examine barriers and opportunities for strengthening smoking cessation in Serbia, with a particular focus on smokers’ readiness to quit, and the availability of cessation measures within the health system.
METHODS:
The analysis was based on data from nationally representative general population survey conducted in 2023 among adults aged 18–64 years in Serbia, assessing smoking status and readiness to quit. In addition, to understand structural barriers a desk analysis was conducted of other relevant data and available smoking cessation measures, including a review of relevant laws, by-laws and strategic documents defining cessation policies and services.
RESULTS:
Among adults aged 18–64 years, 34.1% currently smoke; 73.2% of them do not expect to ever quit smoking, 3,4% are in contemplation phase. Women, younger adults, and those from higher affluent families, more frequently reported they would like to quit smoking. From a system perspective, smoking cessation support is fragmented. Data found through desk review shown high prevalence of smoking among health professionals (35,2%) and only 30% of smokers report receiving advice to quit from a healthcare professional. Although counselling services and pharmacological treatments are available, Serbia lacks standardized national clinical guidelines for smoking cessation, and services are unevenly implemented. In addition, smoking related social norms are barrier as well.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening smoking cessation in Serbia requires addressing both behavioural and structural barriers. Interventions should expand access to evidence-based cessation support, and integrate cessation more systematically into healthcare practice to reduce inequalities and increase successful quit attempts.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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