World Health Organization Releases New Guide to Protect Children's Health from Tobacco and Nicotine

As students head back to school in many countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released two new publications, "Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: guide for schools" and "Nicotine- and tobacco-free school toolkit," to help create a safer and healthier environment for young people. The tobacco industry has been targeting children with nicotine and tobacco products, resulting in a significant increase in e-cigarette use among youth. According to the WHO, 9 out of 10 smokers start before the age of 18, and products have become more affordable for young people due to the sale of single-use cigarettes and e-cigarettes without health warnings.

Key Takeaways:

• The WHO has released two new publications, "Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: guide for schools" and "Nicotine- and tobacco-free school toolkit," to help protect children's health from tobacco and nicotine.
• The guide and toolkit provide step-by-step manuals for schools to create nicotine- and tobacco-free campuses, including education campaigns, implementing policies, and supporting students to quit.
• The WHO highlights four ways to foster a nicotine- and tobacco-free environment for young people: banning nicotine and tobacco products on school campuses, prohibiting the sale near schools, banning direct and indirect ads and promotion, and refusing sponsorship or engagement with tobacco and nicotine industries.
• Countries such as India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Qatar, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine have successfully implemented policies that support tobacco and nicotine-free campuses.
• Nicotine- and tobacco-free policies can prevent young people from starting to smoke, create a healthier student body, protect youth from toxic chemicals in second-hand smoke, reduce cigarette litter, and cut cleaning costs.
• The WHO encourages all countries to make all indoor public places completely smoke-free in line with Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Sources:

• World Health Organization, "Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: guide for schools"
• World Health Organization, "Nicotine- and tobacco-free school toolkit"
• World Health Organization, "Tobacco industry tactics to attract younger generations" (https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/tobacco-industry-tactics-to-attract-younger-generations)
• US Food and Drug Administration, "Retailers warned to stop selling illegal e-cigarettes resembling youth-appealing characters or school supplies" (https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/ctp-newsroom/retailers-warned-stop-selling-illegal-e-cigarettes-resembling-youth-appealing-characters-school)