Latest news with #publicHealth
South China Morning Post
3 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Tobacco industry's sly promotion tactics must be countered with force
Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form . Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification Advertisement Each year on May 31, the world observes World No Tobacco Day, a vital occasion to confront one of the most preventable global health threats. Launched by the World Health Organization in 1988, the initiative mobilised action against the tobacco industry's deadly influence. Appropriately, this year's campaign will focus on the industry's promotion of nicotine products. It puts the spotlight squarely on how tobacco companies continue to lure young consumers and entrench addiction under the guise of modernity and choice. Tobacco remains a global killer, claiming over 8 million lives annually and causing untold suffering through diseases such as cancer, heart disease and chronic respiratory conditions. The toll is not limited to smokers – second-hand smoke endangers millions more. Over the years, countries have embraced the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, banning public smoking, mandating warning labels and restricting advertising. However, weak enforcement and legal loopholes persist. Advertisement
ABC News
4 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Calls for tobacco sales ban at supermarkets
The Lung Foundation of Australia wants to see an outright ban on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products in major supermarkets, with some health experts saying it should also be extended to convenience stores.
Associated Press
14 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
American Heart Association responds to sugary drink tax litigation in Santa Cruz
( NewMediaWire ) - May 30, 2025 - DALLAS — The American Beverage Association and allies filed a lawsuit yesterday in Sacramento Superior Court against the city of Santa Cruz, challenging the city's sugary drink tax. The two cents per fluid ounce tax on sugary beverages was approved by voters in November 2024 and went into effect May 1. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, the world's leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health, issued the following statement: 'Big Soda is once again grasping at straws. 'Let's remember how we got here. Back in 2018, stung by multiple losses at the ballot box, this self-serving industry secretly cut a deal that put a 12-year moratorium on sugary drink taxes, aiming to take away the ability of California cities and citizens to raise revenue for important community priorities and to help fight heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. In 2023, the courts wisely found the penalty provision of the moratorium unconstitutional. Santa Cruz voters stood up for health and passed a sugary drink tax in November, but the beverage industry still won't accept the will of the people. 'The American Heart Association stands with the citizens of Santa Cruz and remains committed to curbing sugary drink consumption and protecting health. The beverage industry stands for profits over health and burdens consumers and taxpayers with billions in needless health care costs, illness and premature death. 'The backroom dealing was wrong in 2018 and it's wrong today. We call on Big Soda and its allies to stop with their lies and this costly litigation.' ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173 Shelly Hogan: 214-706-1782; [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Vape ban will prevent nicotine-addicted children
The upcoming disposable vape ban will help "prevent a new generation of nicotine-addicted young people", Wales' leading public health body has Health Wales (PHW) said it was important to learn from the experience with tobacco and "work as hard as possible to prevent the use and uptake of vapes by children and young people".Single-use disposable vapes will be banned across the UK from 1 June as part of efforts to protect children's health and prevent environmental UK Vaping Industry Association has been approached for comment, but previously said a ban would increase illegal sales. PHW said disposable vapes were "cheap, easy to use and widely available" and appealed to added that most contained nicotine, which affected concentration, memory and the ability to learn when consumed McKibben, consultant in public health at PHW, said: "While vaping is safer than smoking for adults, it is not risk–free and we do not yet have a comprehensive understanding of the long-term health effects."She called the ban an "important step" towards preventing a generation of young people addicted to in Wales shows that 7% of people aged 11 to 16 use vapes weekly, up from 5.4% in 2021. For 15 and 16-year-olds it is 15.9%, up from 13.6%.Keep Wales Tidy estimates that 360,000 single use vapes are dropped on the floor each year, while 120,000 are flushed down the toilet. People at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Neath Port Talbot were largely supportive of the Sitori, 18, from Swansea, said vaping was a "real issue" that she often sees at school and parties and this would "really help crack down" on Thomas, 19, from Swansea, believes many of his friends who vape would stop due to the ban, but felt some could resort to smoking Swansea, Kyle Evans, from Aberdare, Rhonda Cynon Taf, described the ban as "ridiculous" as it was a helpful way to quit added: "People need to put them away properly, dispose of them properly and there shouldn't be a ban." Crimestoppers said it was stepping up its efforts to combat the illegal sale of vapes in the wake of the ban because "unscrupulous vendors will continue to sell these products illegally"."These products pose serious health risks – they are unregulated, untested, and may contain dangerously high levels of nicotine and harmful substances such as lead and nickel," it to BBC Radio 4's Today programme when the ban was announced, John Dunne, director general of UKVIA, said authorities already struggled to tackle the black market, even without a said the association wanted the UK government to instead introduce a licensing scheme for retailers and distributors.
Reuters
16 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Global crises disrupt effort to get millions to quit smoking, report says
LONDON, May 30 (Reuters) - The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and wars have combined to hamper global governments' plans to reduce tobacco use, derailing efforts to get an estimated 95 million people to stop smoking, a report endorsed by 57 campaign groups said on Friday. Governments had planned to reduce smoking rates among people over 15 by 30% between 2010 and 2025 as part of an action plan tied to global sustainable development targets agreed in 2015. But the timeline to achieve the goal was extended an extra five years in 2024 as other priorities pushed countries to divert resources away from implementing a World Health Organization treaty on tobacco control signed by 168 countries. "This ... delay represents an estimated 95 million additional tobacco users, who would otherwise have quit by 2025," said the report, submitted to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, which oversees global sustainable development. While governments have succeeded in reducing the number of smokers, the failure to hit the 30% reduction target means that 1,207,800,000 people are still smoking globally, instead of the target of 1,112,400,000, based on a Reuters calculation using smoking rates and population figures provided in the report. Published by Action on Smoking and Health Canada and endorsed by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Cancer Research UK and others, the report warned the delays could result in millions of additional deaths from tobacco use if sustained. The U.N. has already acknowledged that funding shortfalls, geopolitical tensions and pandemic-linked disruptions have pushed the world off track on most of the 17 wide-ranging sustainable development goals. Those goals aim, among other things, to reduce poverty and hunger and increase access to healthcare and education. The groups that endorsed ASH Canada's report urged governments to redouble their efforts on tobacco control policies such as tax increases and smoking bans.
