The Prime Minister Milojko Spajić received the esteemed 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control, recognizing Montenegro’s outstanding achievements. These efforts were also acknowledged at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, spotlighting the Government and the Ministry of Finance’s extensive work in enforcing effective measures to reduce tobacco consumption and combat illegal tobacco trade.

PM Spajić emphasized Montenegro’s strong commitment to decreasing the availability of tobacco products while actively fighting against illegal tobacco trade.

We are escalating our efforts against illicit tobacco trade, not merely to protect our revenue but to uphold the rule of law. This constitutes a strategic priority for us, and we pledge to collaborate with regional and international partners to foster a safer, healthier, and more resilient future, he stated.

The Ministry of Finance of Montenegro was recognized for its initiatives aimed at reducing tobacco availability. Recent data indicates that tobacco usage in Montenegro has declined by nearly 7% from 2019 to 2022. Montenegro is dedicated to further reducing smuggling, increasing taxes, and tightening regulations to enhance tobacco control.

This award signifies not only acknowledgment for our achievements but also conveys a strong message to the world that Montenegro has swiftly emerged as a leader in tax discipline. By embracing bold tax policies, we safeguard health, our budget, and our future. Such accolades inspire us to set new benchmarks, remarked Finance Minister Novica Vuković.

These awards, presented for the first time since 2018, were bestowed by the foundation’s founder, Mike R. Bloomberg, during a conference that gathered over 1,300 public health experts and leaders, including Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. The event showcased successful policy implementations from the recent past.