Flavors Make Tobacco Products More Appealing
Flavors like menthol, bubble gum, and cotton candy are making toxic products appealing to youth. These flavors not only make it harder to quit but have also been linked to serious lung diseases. According to WHO, flavors are a leading reason why young people try tobacco and nicotine products.
Global Action Needed
WHO urges governments to take bold action to ban flavors in tobacco and nicotine products. Currently, over 50 countries ban flavored tobacco, and more than 40 countries ban e-cigarette sales. However, more needs to be done to regulate these products.
WHO’s Stance
“The global tobacco epidemic is already killing around 8 million people each year. Without bold action, this epidemic will continue to be driven by addiction dressed up with appealing flavors,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Protecting the Next Generation
WHO emphasizes that tobacco products, including heated tobacco products, expose users to cancer-causing chemicals and should be strictly regulated. The organization honors governments, youth activists, and civil society leaders pushing back against industry interference and changing policy to save lives.