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Worldwide anti-tobacco conference: new measures against sophistication of smokers!
WHO discusses measures against tobacco consumption, including a ban on flavored products, at the tobacco conference in Geneva.
Worldwide anti-tobacco conference: new measures against sophistication of smokers!
Today in Geneva there is an urgent discussion about the fight against tobacco consumption. At the WHO tobacco conference, representatives from 183 countries are committed to comprehensive measures to curb this widespread addiction. A key concern is the planned bans on flavored tobacco products and in particular the critical filter cigarettes, which make up around 90% of the market. Nordkurier reports that the conference features four countries that have already implemented some of the recommended measures, including Brazil and Turkey.
A problem that cannot be ignored is the protection of minors. Studies show that flavored products are particularly attractive to teenagers. There are therefore calls for clear rules to be introduced and more intensive educational work to be carried out, especially since many children are already using e-cigarettes. BR emphasizes that this development is alarming, as the consumption rate among children is nine times higher than among adults.
Planned measures in focus
The states will also have to deal with other important points in the next few days: In addition to the ban on filter cigarettes and flavored tobacco products, strict advertising restrictions and an increase in tobacco taxes are also up for debate. The WHO highlights the importance of higher taxes as an effective means of reducing tobacco consumption. Every year, eight million people die from tobacco-related diseases worldwide - around 700,000 in the EU. WHO outlines the enormous economic cost of this problem, exceeding $1.4 trillion, including healthcare costs and lost productivity.
However, the conference is not just a platform for political discussions. An expert paper also suggests linking the sale of tobacco to certain birth years in order to discourage future generations from consuming it. This could mean that people born after 2006 will no longer have access to tobacco products at all - as is already the case in the Maldives.
Unity against the tobacco industry
A central issue remains the lobbying of tobacco companies. Despite the WHO's repeated warnings and recommendations, the influence of these companies remains felt. [BR]. But the delegates agree: protecting health must have priority.
With a clear emphasis on measures such as graphic health warnings and neutral packaging, the WHO is trying to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco products. In the long term, comprehensive implementation of these measures could not only reduce social acceptance of smoking, but also reduce the enormous health and financial burden that this addiction brings with it.
A successful journey in the fight against tobacco use will not be easy, but the determination of the conference participants could be the key to a smoke-free future.