Despite having the foundations to combat tobacco, the market for nicotine-containing products continues to grow rapidly, and existing political measures often fail to keep pace with these changes.
Hans Kluge, Director of the WHO European Office, noted: "Tobacco use in our region already leads to more than 1.1 million deaths from non-communicable diseases annually. If we do not intensify our efforts, by 2030 we will be left with the worst statistics in the world."
He added: "We need to change this situation immediately: protect youth from nicotine addiction and prevent the tobacco industry from interfering in health policy."
Leading Positions in Smoking Among Adolescents
The WHO European region is the only region in the world that, according to forecasts, will not be able to achieve the goal of reducing tobacco consumption among women by 30% by 2025. Forecasts indicate that from 2010 to 2025, the number of smoking women will decrease by only 12%.The highest prevalence of smoking among girls aged 13-15 is observed in this region.
Danger to a New Generation
The situation with electronic cigarettes also raises serious concerns: Europe has the highest rate of e-cigarette use among adolescents in the world at 14.3%, with usage rates among boys and girls being almost equal.Kluge emphasized that "this is not a coincidence, but the result of a targeted strategy by the tobacco industry, which uses flavor additives and active marketing on social media to attract youth." Examples from countries like Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands show that these trends can be changed through regulation of new products, a ban on flavor additives, and advertising restrictions.
Inadequacy of Existing Measures
Although many countries in the region have effective monitoring systems for tobacco products and require large graphic health warnings on packaging, the implementation of other necessary measures is not as successful.Comprehensive smoke-free laws are in effect in only 18 out of 53 countries. National programs to assist with smoking cessation that cover the costs of these services exist in only 12 countries. A complete ban on tobacco advertising is enforced in only 13 states. In 19 countries, the cost of cigarettes today is lower than it was in 2014.
Regulation of electronic cigarettes and other new nicotine products remains fragmented, which reduces the overall effectiveness of anti-smoking measures.
Photo on the main page is illustrative: cnn.com.
