LSMU Contributes to an International Project Aimed at Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Europe

The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) has joined a new European Commission-funded international project, the Joint Action on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention including Smoke and Aerosol Free Environments (JA-SAFE). The project aims to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer, and their risk factors at both individual and population levels.

Smoking and other forms of tobacco use remain among the leading causes of preventable morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. Within the European Union, tobacco use is recognised as a major cause of premature deaths. Therefore, reducing tobacco consumption, limiting exposure to second-hand smoke, and creating health-promoting environments are among the key public health priorities.

The JA-SAFE project seeks to significantly reduce tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke across Europe, contributing to the European Union’s objective of creating a tobacco-free generation. The project also supports broader health promotion and disease prevention goals related to reducing risk factors for non-communicable diseases, promoting healthier lifestyles, and strengthening collaboration among EU Member States.

The project consists of nine work packages organised into five main thematic areas: smoke-free environments, alcohol prevention, smoking cessation support, pathways towards a tobacco-free generation, and the promotion of health and disease prevention across Europe. These areas reflect a comprehensive approach to public health, focusing not only on individual behaviour but also on environments, policies, preventive systems, and cross-border collaboration.

LSMU participates in the project as one of the partners of the international consortium. The LSMU project leader is Dr Renata Kudukytė-Gasperė, while the project is coordinated by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

The project implementation period runs from 15 October 2025 to 14 October 2029. The project is funded under the EU4Health Programme, with a total budget of EUR 15,998,385.82, of which EUR 420,526.05 has been allocated to LSMU.

The project activities are expected to contribute to reducing the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke, strengthening smoke- and aerosol-free environments, improving smoking cessation support systems, and enhancing cooperation among EU Member States in the field of non-communicable disease prevention.

LSMU’s participation in the JA-SAFE project is important not only in the context of international collaboration but also in strengthening the University’s contribution to public health policy, the development of prevention practices, and the implementation of evidence-based solutions.

The project provides opportunities to share best practices, contribute to achieving common European health objectives, and create a healthier and safer environment for society.

This project is funded by the European Union under the EU4Health Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101233428). The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.