Kuwait hosts 30 events to shield children from tobacco industry
In May, the country’s month-long campaign titled ‘Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interventions’ will highlight the dangers of smoking for children and young people.
• According to World Health Organization studies, there are eight million deaths annually worldwide due to the consumption of all kinds of tobacco.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti, Deputy President of the National Anti-Smoking Program, announced that the current awareness campaign, conducted in collaboration with the Department of Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health, comprises over 30 events throughout May. The campaign’s theme is “Protecting children from intervention of the tobacco industry.”
On Friday, Al-Shatti elaborated to Kuna that the events are taking place in commercial complexes, schools, community development centers, primary health care centers, and include training courses for medical teams and school health personnel. These activities aim to enhance the effectiveness of health awareness, specifically highlighting the dangers of smoking and its prevalence among children and young people.
He explained that according to World Health Organization (WHO) studies, there are eight million deaths annually worldwide due to the consumption of all kinds of tobacco. He stressed that combating smoking is a shared responsibility, especially since tobacco companies target children and young people, who are considered the future of nations and the driving force behind development.
He further explained that young people who use e-cigarettes are almost three times more likely to use cigarettes later in life. Additionally, children and young people aged 13 to 15 in most countries use e-cigarettes at a higher rate than adults.
He stated that this year, the WHO has designated “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference” as the theme for World No Tobacco Day, which is being observed in over 180 member countries globally.
Al-Shatti mentioned that studies have not shown e-cigarettes to be effective consumer products for helping users quit tobacco. Instead, there is concerning evidence indicating negative health effects associated with their use.
He pointed out that the tobacco industry funds and promotes false evidence claiming that these products minimize damage, all while aggressively marketing them to children and non-smokers. Moreover, they continue to sell millions of cigarettes.
The awareness campaign for the National Anti-Smoking Program 2024 was launched on Thursday, under the title “Protecting children from intervention of the tobacco industry,” in cooperation with various ministries, bodies, and state institutions.
