Tobacco is still a big problem in the world and millions of young people are lured in to addiction every year. In addition to serious damage to health, tobacco use costs society billions every year and has a major impact on the environment. Through important tobacco policy decisions, you as a politician can counteract this – and at the same time promote a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development.
Many countries in the world has ratified the World Health Organization’s Tobacco Convention (WHO FCTC). Few of them has implemented all the recommended measures to continue reducing and preventing tobacco use. Tobacco use in all its forms ways entails serious health risks and a financial burden for the individual, but also constitutes an enormous burden for the entire society.
Most countries in the world has ratified the World Health Organization’s Tobacco Convention (WHO FCTC). Few of them has implemented all the recommended measures to continue reducing and preventing tobacco use. Tobacco use in all its forms ways entails serious health risks and a financial burden for the individual, but also constitutes an enormous burden for the entire society.
Watch: short animated film about the negative impact on the environment
Read: Environmental impacts of the tobacco industry – a survey of the research situation 2020
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children have the right to good physical and mental health, which means that all political decisions that affect children must be made with the best interests of the children in mind. Children’s rights should be a top priority and a guide in tobacco policy. Almost everyone who uses tobacco starts as a child, which makes children the main target group in the tobacco industry. In your role as a politician, you can help protect children from being attracted to a harmful nicotine addiction – which is directly contrary to their right to life, health and development.
Making decisions that improve public health, the economy and the environment is your responsibility as a politician, and tobacco policy is an important and effective tool. The introduction of laws to protect children from nicotine addiction is a benefit for everything and everyone – except the tobacco industry
Read more about why it is so important to protect children from nicotine and about the new products that attract children.
