Latest news with #TobaccoFreeInitiative
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Panel urges regional unity against tobacco industry tactics
KUWAIT: On the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31, the Kuwait Society for Controlling Smoking and Cancer hosted a virtual panel discussion titled: 'Decision Makers... Methods of Promoting Smoking.' The event brought together experts and specialists in tobacco control to examine the influence of industry tactics and propose effective counter-strategies. Dr Hessa Al-Shaheen, a board member of the society, moderated the discussion, welcoming participants and underscoring the need for dialogue between decision-makers and civil society to shape policies that curb tobacco use. Key speakers included Dr Khalid Ahmed Al-Saleh, Chairman of the Society; Dr Ibtihal Fadel, Chair of the Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance; Dr Fatima Al-Awa, Regional Advisor for the Tobacco Free Initiative at the World Health Organization (WHO); and Dr Amal Al-Yahya, Rapporteur of the National Program to Combat Smoking. The symposium opened with a presentation by Dr Fatima Al-Awa, titled 'Debunking Tobacco Companies.' She highlighted the misleading marketing practices of tobacco companies targeting youth, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean region, where consumption is on the rise. Dr Al-Awa warned of the industry's efforts to influence health policies, which undermines regional tobacco control efforts. She concluded by presenting WHO's key recommendations—strengthening governance, protecting policy-making from commercial influence, and increasing taxes on tobacco products—as critical steps to reduce consumption. Dr Hessa Al-Shaheen Dr Khalid Al-Saleh Next, Dr Khalid Al-Saleh delivered a presentation on 'The Health Effects of Smoking and its Alternatives.' He reviewed recent data linking tobacco use to various cancers and debunked claims that alternatives like e-cigarettes are 'less harmful.' Citing emerging scientific evidence, he stressed that no form of tobacco use is safe and that full cessation remains the only effective option. Dr Al-Saleh emphasized the importance of regional collaboration among NGOs, in partnership with WHO, to counter the influence of tobacco companies. Dr Ibtihal Fadel followed with a presentation on 'The Role of NGOs in Tobacco Control,' emphasizing the importance of activating civil society's role in shaping health policy and public awareness campaigns. She noted that social media is a powerful tool for reaching young people—the primary target of tobacco advertising—and urged NGOs to expose deceptive marketing and push for stricter laws. Dr Fadel also highlighted successful case studies from the region and called for a cultural shift that frames smoking as a socially and medically unacceptable behavior. She concluded by pointing to the upcoming high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a vital opportunity to mobilize support for regional and global tobacco control. Finally, Dr Amal Al-Yahya presented on 'The Importance of an Integrated Approach in Confronting the Tobacco Industry.' She shared recent data on smoking rates in Kuwait, particularly among youth, and outlined national policies aligned with WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Dr Al-Yahya advocated for a cross-sectoral strategy—engaging health, education, and legislative bodies—to counter industry influence and strengthen preventive efforts. The session closed with remarks from Dr Hessa Al-Shaheen, who thanked the speakers and participants for their contributions, highlighting the value of continued collaboration and scientific dialogue in this critical public health area. This event is part of the society's broader mission to raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco, advocate for stronger public health policies, and promote smoke-free environments in line with Kuwait's national and international commitments.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Fighting back against tobacco industry tricks
The Eastern Mediterranean region is witnessing rising trends in tobacco use among women and adolescents and has recorded the highest smoking rates for boys among all World Health Organization regions. In some countries, smoking rates have reached 43 percent among adolescent boys (aged 13-15 years) and 20 percent among adolescent girls. This is no coincidence. It is a calculated move by the tobacco industry to target new markets, using new forms of nicotine such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products to hook the next generation. The industry's cleverly marketed lies, campaigns that use packaging and a multitude of flavors — e-cigarettes are reportedly available in more than 16,000 flavors — are designed to entice the young. In Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, tobacco use among adolescent boys now exceeds 30 percent. In every country in the region, adolescent girls now smoke more than adult women. The statistics speak for themselves, revealing the depth of the tobacco industry's reach. The message is clear: Tobacco use is not just persisting, it is evolving, adapting and aggressively infiltrating the lives of new generations. Recognizing the growing threat, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has launched the 'Tobacco Free Initiative,' which aims to address tobacco use in these demographic groups. The gendered health risks of tobacco use are serious. Women who smoke face increased risks of cervical cancer, osteoporosis, fertility problems and complications when using oral contraceptives. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to preterm births and developmental issues in newborns. For adolescents, early nicotine exposure can lead to a lifetime of addiction, with higher risks of chronic illness and premature death. The initiative supports the WHO's broader strategic goals by advancing people-centered approaches to noncommunicable disease prevention. By addressing nicotine addiction early and highlighting gender and age-specific risk factors, it supports our flagship initiative on substance use. It also strengthens the Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents agenda, which considers tobacco control a priority intervention to address preventable mortality and morbidity among adolescents, and aligns with the Global Standards for Health Promoting Schools that advocate for safe, tobacco-free environments. More girls and women are taking up the habit, threatening to reverse decades of progress and exposing new populations to harm. Dr. Hanan Balkhy The narrowing gender gap in tobacco use is of particular concern. Smoking was once a predominantly male behavior. But more girls and women are taking up the habit, threatening to reverse decades of public health progress and exposing new populations to devastating harm. This can be reversed. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the MPOWER measures provide countries with a proven roadmap that includes raising tobacco taxes, banning advertising, ensuring smoke-free public spaces and offering cessation support. These policies have worked elsewhere. They can work here too. Success will depend on leadership and collaboration. We need governments to step up and regulate emerging products by banning flavors and restricting the use of youth-oriented designs. These are not accidental trends. They are deliberately engineered entry points into addiction. We must also engage communities. Parents, teachers and healthcare providers all play vital roles in prevention and support. Schools must become tobacco-free environments that reinforce healthy behavior. Health systems must provide age and gender-sensitive cessation services, especially for young people and women. To meet the global target of a 30 percent reduction in tobacco use by 2030, we must act now. This epidemic among women and youth cannot be allowed to continue unchecked. The tobacco industry is adapting fast. We must act faster.
News18
5 days ago
- Health
- News18
World No Tobacco Day 2025: Trying To Quit Tobacco? Add These Foods To Your Diet
In 1987, WHO's Member States declared April 7, 1988, as a 'World No-Smoking Day' to mark WHO's 40th anniversary. Later, the WHO passed a resolution to observe World No Tobacco Day on May 31. Since then, the organisation has used this platform to highlight tobacco-related health risks and raise more awareness. advetisement In 1998, WHO launched the Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) to strengthen global efforts, followed by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2003, a treaty adopted by many countries, including India, to reduce tobacco use. World No Tobacco Day 2025: Significance World No Tobacco Day plays a critical role in educating people about the harmful effects of tobacco. As per estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, which makes it the leading cause of preventable deaths. The day also exposes the tobacco industry's manipulative tactics, such as targeting youth with appealing flavours and sleek designs. It also encourages individuals to quit tobacco and pushes governments to enforce stricter regulations, like bans on advertising and higher taxes on tobacco products. World No Tobacco Day 2025: Key Facts Tobacco kills up to half its users, contributing to diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory illnesses. Around 80 per cent of the world's 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries. In 2020, 22.3 per cent of the world's population used tobacco: 36.7 per cent of men and 7.8 per cent of women. Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don't quit (1–3). The tobacco industry uses flavours and marketing to attract youth, with e-cigarette ads reaching over 3.4 billion views on social media. Tobacco production harms the environment through deforestation, chemical use, and waste. World No Tobacco Day 2025: Foods To Help Fight Tobacco Addiction Quitting tobacco is challenging, but certain foods can support the process by reducing cravings and repairing the body. Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, carrots, and celery keep hands and mouth busy, curbing the urge to smoke. Vitamin C-rich foods like oranges help repair damage caused by tobacco. Whole Grains: Oats and brown rice stabilise blood sugar, reducing irritability during withdrawal. Nuts and Seeds: Chewing almonds or sunflower seeds distracts from cravings and provides healthy fats. Milk and Dairy: These can make cigarettes taste unpleasant, discouraging smoking. Herbal Teas: Ginger or peppermint tea soothes stress and supports detoxification. Drinking plenty of water also flushes nicotine from the body, aiding recovery. Advertisement Flavoured Tobacco: A Sweet Trap Leading to Serious Harm, Warns Oncologist According to Dr. Meghal Sanghavi, Oncologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, flavoured and glamorised tobacco products may seem less harmful — but that's exactly the danger. 'These products are designed to appeal to young people by masking the seriousness of addiction," he warned. 'Fruity flavours and sleek packaging often give a false sense of safety, drawing teenagers into early nicotine use." Dr. Sanghavi expressed deep concern over the rising number of young individuals being exposed to such products. He cautioned, 'Early tobacco use significantly increases the risk of cancers, especially of the mouth, throat, and lungs. What feels like a harmless trend today can lead to life-threatening diseases tomorrow. Awareness and early prevention are absolutely critical." advetisement World No Tobacco Day 2025: Celebrations World No Tobacco Day is marked by global and local events, including awareness rallies, poster competitions, and social media campaigns. Schools and communities organise educational programs to inform people about tobacco's negative effects on health. Governments often use this day to launch new anti-tobacco policies, such as smoking bans in public places or plain packaging laws. Individuals can participate by sharing anti-tobacco messages, supporting friends to quit, or pledging to stay tobacco-free. Jupiter Hospital, Thane Introduces De-Addiction Support Group On World No Tobacco Day 2025 In a significant step towards holistic healthcare, Jupiter Hospital, Thane launched its Tobacco De-Addiction Support Group on World No Tobacco Day. To mark this initiative, the hospital collaborated with the World Pranic Healing Foundation, founded by Master Choa Kok Sui, to host a pilot session on Twin Hearts Meditation and Pranic Healing. This event brought together medical experts, wellness professionals, Pranic Healers, patients, survivors, and individuals aiming to quit tobacco use, highlighting the growing importance of incorporating complementary therapies like energy healing and meditation into mainstream de-addiction programs. The Tobacco De-Addiction Support Group aims to provide long-term, comprehensive care for individuals seeking to overcome tobacco addiction. It goes beyond conventional medical treatment by offering emotional, psychological, and holistic wellness support, empowering individuals on their journey towards a healthier, tobacco-free life. The support group will hold monthly sessions, ensuring regular engagement and encouragement for participants throughout their recovery. Dr. Alpa Dalal, Head of Pulmonary Medicine, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, stated, 'Tobacco addiction is a multifaceted condition that harms both the body and mind. At Jupiter Hospital, Thane, we treat our patients not only medically but also emotionally and psychologically." The World Pranic Healing Foundation conducted the pilot session, showcasing how energy-based, no-touch, drug-free therapies are emerging as valuable complementary tools in de-addiction and rehabilitation programs. With addiction often linked to deep emotional and psychological patterns, experts increasingly advocate for integrating energy healing and meditation into mainstream healthcare. At the core of this initiative is Twin Hearts Meditation, a guided technique that relieves stress, clears negative emotions, and builds emotional resilience. Its regular practice strengthens willpower, clarity, and inner peace, which are crucial for overcoming addictive tendencies.
