Since 1988, at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), May 31 is annually observed as World No Tobacco Day. The observance of this day directs attention to the health risks caused by tobacco use and calls on governments to implement effective policies to reduce the scale of tobacco consumption.
This year, WHO dedicated World No Tobacco Day to protecting young people from this harmful habit.
"Tobacco and nicotine companies deliberately design their products to be more appealing, easier to use, and harder to quit, especially for adolescents and young people.
Tobacco use causes the deaths of more than 7 million people every year. It is one of the preventable causes of death worldwide and is associated with cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and more than 20 types of cancer," the WHO warning stated.
WHO has called on over 1 billion tobacco, e-cigarette, and nicotine pouch users worldwide to take the first step and be free from addiction on May 31.
It was reported that at least 40 million children aged 13–15 worldwide use tobacco products, and the use of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches among young people continues to increase. /axar.az