The seminar, attended by officials from the Ministry of Public Health and other ministries and acting representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the DPRK, reviewed implementations of recommendations proposed in preceding seminars.

There took place a lecture on the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco.

When interviewed by KCNA, Choe Suk Hyon, an official of the Ministry of Publish Health, told that no-smoking campaign has gained momentum throughout the country.

She said:

Smoking has been banned at educational and healthcare institutions.

In particular, an increasing number of young people have stopped smoking.

The number of smokers stood at 43.9 percent in 2014, a decrease from 50.3 percent in 2009, with the country seeing no female smokers.

The country has taken a measure to hike tobacco price and prohibited import of tobacco.

In an effort to reduce the number of local smokers, the ministry will further enhance cooperation with WHO and other international bodies.

The seminar has been held annually since Juche 102 (2013).