World No Tobacco Day, observed on 31 May every year, was designated in 1987 by member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) to draw attention to the global tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes.
Saima Wajed said, “The fight against tobacco is especially important for us in South-East Asia. The targeting of youth by the tobacco industry is rampant in our Member States. As a result, we have 11 million adolescents exposed to various tobacco products. Are using." statement.“With approximately 411 million adult tobacco users, our region unfortunately has the highest number of adolescent and adult users globally,” he said.
This year's theme is "Protecting children from tobacco industry interference".
Saima Wazed lamented that it is "worrying" that "the industry aggressively lures youth by introducing new nicotine and tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products".
“Young people around the world are calling on the tobacco industry to stop targeting them with products that are harmful to their health.”
He said governments should adopt policies to protect against the manipulative practices of the tobacco and related industries, including the continued marketing of their dangerous products through social media and streaming platforms.Despite policies and regulations in place, these are becoming increasingly popular among youth in the Southeast Asia region, and "social media and other similar platforms may make it worse".
"The tobacco industry is moving quickly to launch new products, using every means to increase market share before regulations come into force," said the WHO regional director.
"They continue to oppose evidence-based measures, such as excise duty increases, and comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, sponsorship. They also threaten legal action against governments that fail to protect the health of their citizens. Let's try."
He pointed to "backward" efforts by governments and institutions to deal with the tobacco industry's marketing strategies."
Saima Wajed said, “The fight against tobacco is especially important for us in South-East Asia. The targeting of youth by the tobacco industry is rampant in our Member States. As a result, we have 11 million adolescents exposed to various tobacco products. Are using." statement.“With approximately 411 million adult tobacco users, our region unfortunately has the highest number of adolescent and adult users globally,” he said.
This year's theme is "Protecting children from tobacco industry interference".
Saima Wazed lamented that it is "worrying" that "the industry aggressively lures youth by introducing new nicotine and tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products".
“Young people around the world are calling on the tobacco industry to stop targeting them with products that are harmful to their health.”
He said governments should adopt policies to protect against the manipulative practices of the tobacco and related industries, including the continued marketing of their dangerous products through social media and streaming platforms.Despite policies and regulations in place, these are becoming increasingly popular among youth in the Southeast Asia region, and "social media and other similar platforms may make it worse".
"The tobacco industry is moving quickly to launch new products, using every means to increase market share before regulations come into force," said the WHO regional director.
"They continue to oppose evidence-based measures, such as excise duty increases, and comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, sponsorship. They also threaten legal action against governments that fail to protect the health of their citizens. Let's try."
He pointed to "backward" efforts by governments and institutions to deal with the tobacco industry's marketing strategies."