Europe pledges to protect children from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke

EU focuses on protecting children from tobacco smoke. (Source: Shutterstock)

This year's World No Tobacco Day focuses on protecting children from tobacco, said European Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides.

This is a key element in the fight for a smoke-free generation, as the average smoker starts as a teenager and many new products on the market are aimed directly at children and teens.

As part of its “Beat Cancer” plan, the EU’s ambitious target is to reduce smoking rates to below 5% of the population by 2040.

To achieve this goal, the EU has implemented a number of measures such as banning the sale of flavored heated tobacco products, requiring stricter labeling of these products, restricting advertising and sponsorship, and conducting anti-smoking campaigns and supporting smoking cessation programs.

The EU is also working on new measures to limit and control tobacco use, including reviewing the anti-tobacco directive and the EU Council recommendation on smoke-free environments.

Smoking is the biggest preventable health risk in the EU, causing 700,000 deaths every year. It also significantly increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and other serious diseases.