Protecting Kids From Tobacco: World No Tobacco Day 2024

Every year, more than 8 million people die from tobacco-related diseases, either due to direct tobacco use or second-hand smoke exposure. To keep making money and replace the customers who die or quit, the tobacco industry uses tactics aimed toward youth to recruit new users. On this World No Tobacco Day, commemorated annually on May 31st, the World Health Organization (WHO) is using the theme “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference” to raise awareness of tobacco’s harmful effects and urge public health leaders and policymakers to end the tobacco industry’s targeting of youth.

Using tobacco products of any form is unsafe, no matter how old you are. Tobacco is not only addictive, but it is also a major risk factor linked to a variety of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as lung disease, heart disease, cancer, and mental health conditions. Causing 8 million deaths per year, tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of death in the world. Preventing youth from starting tobacco may therefore go a long way in preventing death and disease, especially because nearly 9 in 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily started smoking before age 18, according to the CDC.

The tobacco industry targets young people using a variety of tactics, such as posting on social media, sponsoring influencers or events, or manufacturing flavored products appealing to youth. Some countries have tried to address the tobacco industry’s interference by passing laws that require graphic warning labels and plain packaging. Other laws might ban advertising or flavors that mask the taste of tobacco. However, tobacco companies are invested in keeping regulation lax, meaning that legislation is met with fierce resistance and lobbying from the tobacco industry.

To help address the global tobacco epidemic, the WHO introduced the MPOWER measures—a set of evidence-based interventions aimed at curbing tobacco use at the country level—in 2008. The six MPOWER measures include Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies; Protecting people from tobacco smoke; Offering help to quit tobacco use; Warning about the dangers of tobacco; Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; and Raising taxes on tobacco.

According to the 2023 WHO Report on the Tobacco Epidemic, 71 percent of the world’s population were protected by at least one MPOWER measure at the highest level of achievement. However, there is still much work to be done. The report states that as of 2022, 44 countries had yet to implement any of the MPOWER measures at the highest level, leaving 2.3 billion people totally unprotected. On this World No Tobacco Day, the WHO is encouraging young people to join public health leaders and advocate for policies that protect them against the tobacco industry’s harmful influence.

To learn more about the global tobacco epidemic and its relationship to NCDs, explore our resource pack on Global Noncommunicable Diseases or check out the selected resources below.

Teaching Resource

Selected Resources

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