31 May marks World No Tobacco Day (WNTD), a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and public health advocates to highlight the detrimental impact of the tobacco industry on youth.
Focus on Youth Protection
The theme for WNTD 2024 centers on ending the tobacco industry’s targeting of young people with harmful products. This year’s campaign provides a platform for young people, policymakers, and tobacco control advocates to discuss the issue and push for stronger government policies to protect youth from the industry’s manipulative tactics. Despite significant progress in reducing cigarette smoking, ongoing efforts are crucial to safeguarding vulnerable groups.
Data from 2022 reveals that at least 37 million young people aged 13-15 worldwide use some form of tobacco. In the WHO European Region, 11.5% of boys and 10.1% of girls in this age group are tobacco users, totaling 4 million youths.
Tobacco Industry’s Targeting of Youth
To sustain its revenue, the tobacco industry seeks to replace the millions of customers who die or quit using tobacco each year. This involves creating an environment conducive to youth uptake of tobacco products through lax regulations, making these products easily accessible and affordable. The industry also employs marketing strategies that appeal to children and adolescents, often through social media and streaming platforms.
Electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches are becoming increasingly popular among young people. In 2022, 12.5% of adolescents in the European Region used e-cigarettes, compared to just 2% of adults. In some countries, e-cigarette use among school children is 2-3 times higher than cigarette smoking rates.
Call to Action
WNTD 2024 urges governments and the tobacco control community to take action to protect current and future generations from the harmful practices of the tobacco industry. It calls for holding the industry accountable for the damage it causes.
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