31 May, New Delhi: Tobacco kills half of its users prematurely. In India, nearly 3600 people die every day due to tobacco use.
To find replacement consumers and generate a lifetime of profits, the tobacco industry is targeting the young generation.
“The industry uses sleek marketing campaigns with new media tools and harmless looking products designed to appeal to young people, thus creating a new wave of addiction. On World No tobacco Day this year, WHO Country Office for India is launching an awareness campaign exposing industry tactics to hook a new generation of users,” said WHO Representative to India Dr Roderico H. Ofrin.
India’s Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2019 found that the prevalence of tobacco among school going children aged between 13-15 years was 8.4%. Disconcertingly, the survey findings show that even before celebrating their seventh birthday, 11.4% children start smoking cigarettes, 17.2% starting smoking bidi and 24% start using smokeless tobacco products like gutkha, khaini, zarda.
“Hooking the next generation”, a new report jointly launched by World Health Organization (WHO) and STOP, a global tobacco industry watchdog, highlights how the tobacco industry designs products, implements marketing campaigns and influences the policy environment to help them addict the world’s youth. The report shows that globally, an estimated 37 million children aged 13–15 years use tobacco, and in many countries, the rate of e-cigarette use among adolescents exceeds that of adults.
The tobacco industry markets tobacco and nicotine products as less harmful novel products, like gadgets or toys in attractive packaging. In reality, evidence shows that these products sold in fruit and candy flavours, and intensively marketed on social media platforms are hooking young people across the world.
Nicotine contained in tobacco is highly addictive and tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, over 20 different types of cancer, and many other debilitating health conditions. Tobacco and nicotine products, sold in any form, are addictive and cause diseases and death.
To urge governments across the world to adopt policies that protect young people from manipulative practices, the theme for World No Tobacco Day 2024 is ‘protecting children from tobacco industry interference.’
India has taken comprehensive measures to reduce tobacco use including prohibition of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), commonly known as e-cigarettes. WHO has supported the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in setting up an online platform to report violations related to the sale and advertisement of e-cigarettes.
By working together, governments, public health organizations, civil society, and individuals can create a world where the next generation is free from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
Join this endeavour to protect the youth and expose the tobacco industry’s deception --- like, share and amplify WHO’s “be smart, don’t start” campaign.