World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2008

World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2008

Today is World No Tobacco Day. The theme this year is “Tobacco-free Youth”. World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments to protect the 1.8 billion young people of the world by imposing a ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. This year’s campaign focuses on the large scale advertising by tobacco companies to “catch them young”. Studies have shown that the more young people are exposed to tobacco advertising, the more likely they are to start smoking. Despite this, comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising covers only 5% of the world’s population. Please visit the WHO page for more details: Tobacco-Free Youth interactive website

To prevent tobacco use or any substance use, assertiveness training should be given to adolescents. They should be able to say no boldly to any peer group pressure which tries to force them towards its use. Adolescents start using tobacco as a means of excitement, consolation, rebellion or as an effort to belong to a peer group.