WHO and STOP Report: Tobacco Industry Targets 37 Million Children Worldwide

The World Health Organization (WHO) and STOP, a global tobacco industry watchdog, have released a report titled 'Hooking the next generation,' exposing the tactics used by the tobacco and nicotine industry to addict children and young people. The report reveals that approximately 37 million children aged 13-15 globally are estimated to use tobacco products, with e-cigarette use among adolescents surpassing that of adults in many countries.

Why this matters:

The tobacco industry's targeting of children has significant implications for global public health, as nicotine addiction can lead to long-term health consequences and a lifetime of dependence. If left unchecked, this could result in a new generation of smokers and a reversal of progress made in reducing tobacco use.

In the WHO European Region, 20% of 15-year-olds reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. The report also highlights that e-cigarette use increases conventional cigarette use among non-smoking youth by nearly three times. These findings underscore the growing threat posed by new tobacco and nicotine products to young people.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the recurring nature of these tactics, stating, 'History is repeating, as the tobacco industry tries to sell the same nicotine to our children in different packaging.' He criticized the industry's approach, saying, 'These industries are actively targeting schools, children and young people with new products that are essentially a candy-flavoured trap. How can they talk about harm reduction when they are marketing these dangerous, highly-addictive products to children?'

The report's release comes ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, where WHO is amplifying the voices of young people calling on governments to protect them from the tobacco and nicotine industry. Despite progress in reducing tobacco use, the emergence of e-cigarettes and new tobacco and nicotine products poses a significant threat to youth and tobacco control efforts.

The report urges governments to implement strong regulations to protect youth from a lifetime of harmful dependence on tobacco and nicotine products. The call to action is clear: without decisive measures, millions of young people are at risk of developing long-term addictions that can have severe health consequences.

The WHO and STOP's findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive tobacco control policies that address the evolving tactics of the tobacco industry. As the landscape of nicotine products continues to change, protecting the health and well-being of future generations must remain a global priority.

Key Takeaways

• 37 million children aged 13-15 globally use tobacco products, with e-cigarette use surpassing adult use in many countries.
• Tobacco industry targets children with new products, leading to nicotine addiction and long-term health consequences.
• In the WHO European Region, 20% of 15-year-olds reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
• E-cigarette use increases conventional cigarette use among non-smoking youth by nearly three times.
• WHO urges governments to implement strong regulations to protect youth from tobacco and nicotine products.