There is a solid foundation in the region for combating tobacco; however, the market for nicotine products is rapidly evolving, and current policies are not always keeping pace with new challenges.
The Director of the WHO European Office, Hans Kluge, noted that tobacco use is already causing more than 1.1 million deaths from non-communicable diseases each year, and if active steps are not taken, by 2030 the region will continue to have the worst indicators in the world.
"We need to change this situation immediately: we must protect youth from nicotine addiction and limit the tobacco industry's interference in health care," he added.
High Smoking Rates Among Teenage Girls
The WHO European Region is the only one in the world that, according to forecasts, will not be able to achieve the global target of reducing tobacco consumption among women by 30% by 2025. According to the latest data, from 2010 to 2025, the number of smoking women will decrease by only 12%.The highest smoking rates among girls aged 13-15 are recorded in this region.
Danger to Future Generations
Particular concern is raised by the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes: the WHO European Region has the highest level of their use among adolescents at 14.3%, with rates among boys and girls being almost equal."This is not a random phenomenon, but the result of a targeted strategy by the tobacco industry that attracts youth through flavorings and active promotion on social media. The experiences of countries like Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands show that this trend can be countered through the regulation of new products, a ban on flavorings, and advertising restrictions," Kluge noted.
Inadequacy of Current Measures
Despite the existence of effective monitoring systems for tobacco products and requirements for large graphic health warnings on packaging, the implementation of other measures is, in WHO's view, not as successful.Comprehensive smoke-free laws exist in only 18 out of 53 countries. National quitline services with funding for such services operate in only 12 countries. A comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising has been introduced in only 13 states. In 19 countries, the price of cigarettes today is lower than it was in 2014.
Regulation of electronic cigarettes and other new nicotine products remains inconsistent, which reduces the overall effectiveness of tobacco control measures.
Photo on the main page is illustrative: cnn.com.
