GENEVA (EFE).— The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday called on governments to establish stricter rules to protect young people from the use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes and other nicotine products, just days before World No Tobacco Day, which is commemorated every May 31.
“These industries are actively targeting schools, children and young people with new products that are essentially a candy-flavored trap,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who stressed that these products are “dangerous and highly addictive.”
WHO estimates that 37 million children between 13 and 15 years of age worldwide consume tobacco and, in most countries where measurements have been taken, the use of electronic cigarettes is already more frequent among young people than among adults.
The organization published a report titled “Hooking the Next Generation: How the Tobacco Industry Captures Young Customers,” in which it accuses tobacco companies of “designing products, conducting marketing campaigns and creating political environments to create addiction among the world’s youth.”
“The use of child-friendly flavours such as cotton candy and bubblegum, combined with stylish and colourful designs that resemble toys, is a blatant attempt to addict young people,” explained WHO health promotion director Ruediger Krech. According to the report, 85% of young people aged between 15 and 30 have been exposed to advertising regarding e-cigarettes through the media.
In the WHO European region, 20% of 15-year-olds surveyed said they had used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. To address this trend, WHO recommends that governments take measures such as creating 100% smoke-free public spaces, banning flavoured e-cigarettes, increasing taxes and supporting young people in education initiatives.
As part of World No Tobacco Day, WHO will award recognition to youth organizations, such as the Argentine organization Campaign for Children without Tobacco.
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2024-07-04 18:54:19
