Prime Minister Spajić and Minister Vuković receive prestigious 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić was presented with the prestigious 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control for the remarkable achievements of Montenegro, which were also confirmed at the World Conference on Tobacco Control taking place in Dublin, highlighting the intense efforts of the Government and the Ministry of Finance in implementing effective measures to curb tobacco use and illegal trade in tobacco products.

Montenegro remains deeply committed to reducing the accessibility of tobacco products while simultaneously fighting against illegal trade in tobacco, PM Spajić stated.

We are intensifying our fight against illicit tobacco trade not only to defend our revenues but to uphold the rule of law. This is a strategic priority, and we remain committed to working with regional and international partners to build a safer, healthier and more resilient future, he underlined.

The Ministry of Finance of Montenegro received an award for implemented measures aimed at reducing the availability of tobacco. According to the latest available data, the prevalence of tobacco use in Montenegro has decreased by almost 7% between 2019 and 2022. Montenegro remains committed to further reduce smuggling, increase taxes, and tighten regulations to strengthen tobacco control.

This award is not only a recognition for good results, but it is also a message to the world that Montenegro has become a leader in tax discipline in a short period. By showing courage in tax policy, we protect health, our budget and our future. Such recognitions further motivate us to set new standards, Finance Minister Novica Vuković noted.

The awards, which have been presented for the first time since 2018, were handed out by the founder of the foundation Mike R. Bloomberg, as part of the conference that brought together over 1,300 experts and leaders in the field of public health, including the Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin as one of the participants. The most successful examples of policies implemented in the previous period were awarded.