Each year tobacco causes "eight
million victims" and producers "spend around eight billion in
marketing operations to make their products more appealing",
especially to young people, the World Health Organization said
as it launched a campaign ahead of No Tobacco Day.
Coronavirus Link.
The campaign for the world day against tobacco use, which
takes place on May 31, is "especially important right now as
studies show that smokers have a higher risk for a severe case
of coronavirus".
Cancer.
Tobacco use is responsible for 25% of all cancer deaths
worldwide.
Nicotine and tobacco products increase the risk of
cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.
Passive Smoking.
Over one million people die every every year due to exposure
to passive smoking.
Tobacco Exposed.
#TobaccoExposed is the key message of the new campaign which
will "debunk myths and expose devious tactics employed by these
industries," the WHO's website says.
"It will provide young people with the knowledge required to
easily detect industry manipulation and equip them with the
tools to rebuff such tactics, thereby empowering young people to
stand up against them.
Among the tactics that the World Health Organization have
highlighted is is the use of "flavours appealing to children" in
smokeless tobacco, shisha and e-cigarettes, the promotion of
tobacco products and the distribution of free samples at popular
events for young people and, finally, "advertising and product
placement on movies and TV-shows and through social media
platforms".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
