World No Tobacco Day 2024: Protecting Youth from Tobacco Industry Influence
World No Tobacco Day 2024: Advocating to Protect Youth from Harmful Tobacco Industry Influences
As the world commemorates World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on 31 May, the focus this year is on the detrimental impact of the tobacco industry on the youth population. With the theme of “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”, global health organizations and advocates are coming together to raise awareness and advocate for measures to shield young people from the harmful influences of tobacco products.
Despite significant efforts by the tobacco control community, data from 2022 shows that at least 37 million young people aged 13-15 years worldwide are using some form of tobacco. In the WHO European Region alone, 11.5% of boys and 10.1% of girls in the same age group are tobacco users, totaling 4 million young individuals.
The tobacco industry, driven by the need to maintain profits, targets youth by creating an environment that encourages uptake of its products among the next generation. This includes tactics such as developing appealing products like electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches, as well as utilizing advertising strategies on social media and streaming platforms to attract children and adolescents.
The prevalence of e-cigarettes among adolescents in the European Region has increased significantly, with 12.5% of teenagers reported to have used e-cigarettes in 2022 compared to only 2% of adults. Some countries in the region have experienced rates of e-cigarette use among school children that are two to three times higher than traditional cigarette smoking rates.
As the tobacco industry continues to profit off the addiction of young people, the call to action for WNTD 2024 is for governments and the tobacco control community to step up efforts to protect current and future generations. By holding the tobacco industry accountable for the harm it causes, advocates hope to create a safer and healthier environment for youth worldwide.