WHO: Ban Flavored Tobacco & Nicotine – Urgent Action Needed
- The World Health Association (WHO) is calling on governments worldwide to urgently ban all flavors in tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, hookahs, and nicotine pouches.
- According to the WHO, these flavors not only make quitting more difficult but have also been linked to serious lung diseases. Even customary cigarettes are available with added...
- Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that flavors are fueling a new wave of addiction and undermining decades of progress in tobacco control. He warned that without immediate action, the...
the World Health Institution (WHO) urgently demands a global ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products to protect young people. Bubble gum and menthol flavors are specifically designed to lure youth into harmful products like e-cigarettes. This decisive action comes as the WHO highlights the manipulative marketing used to hook a new generation on nicotine through appealing flavors, as revealed by news Directory 3. with the global tobacco epidemic claiming approximately eight million lives annually,the WHO warns that eliminating flavors is critical. the organization is urging countries to rapidly ban flavors in tobacco and nicotine products. Discover what’s next to support crucial public health.
WHO Urges Ban on Tobacco Flavors to Protect Youth from Addiction
The World Health Association (WHO) is calling on governments worldwide to urgently ban all flavors in tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, hookahs, and nicotine pouches. This appeal, coinciding with World No Tobacco Day, aims to protect young people from addiction and related diseases. the WHO emphasizes that flavors like bubble gum and menthol mask the harshness of these products, turning them into appealing bait for youth.
According to the WHO, these flavors not only make quitting more difficult but have also been linked to serious lung diseases. Even customary cigarettes are available with added flavors. The organization released a new publication, “Flavor accessories in tobacco products enhance attractiveness and appeal,” detailing how flavors and accessories circumvent regulations to attract new users.
WHO director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that flavors are fueling a new wave of addiction and undermining decades of progress in tobacco control. He warned that without immediate action, the global tobacco epidemic, which already claims about 8 million lives annually, will continue to be driven by flavored products.
“Flavours are fuelling a new wave of addiction, and should be banned,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO.”They undermine decades of progress in tobacco control.”
Currently, over 50 countries have banned flavored tobacco, while more than 40 have banned e-cigarette sales. A smaller number have specifically banned disposable e-cigarettes or e-cigarette flavors. The WHO is urging more countries to follow the lead of nations like Belgium, Denmark, and Lithuania in taking action against flavored tobacco products.
Dr. Rüdiger Krech,WHO Director of Health Promotion,highlighted the manipulative marketing tactics used to target young people. He noted that a generation is becoming addicted to nicotine through gummy bear-flavored pouches and rainbow-colored vapes. The WHO also reiterated that heated tobacco products, like other tobacco products, contain cancer-causing chemicals and should be strictly regulated.
“We are watching a generation get hooked on nicotine through gummy bear-flavoured pouches and rainbow-coloured vapes,” said Dr Rüdiger Krech, WHO Director of Health Promotion. ”This isn’t innovation, it’s manipulation. And we must stop it.”
What’s next
The WHO’s 2025 World No Tobacco Day campaign will continue to support governments, youth activists, and civil society leaders in their efforts to combat industry interference and implement policies that protect public health. With millions of tobacco-related deaths occurring each year, the WHO emphasizes that eliminating flavors from tobacco and nicotine products is crucial for a healthier future.