Protecting Children from the Harm of Tobacco Industry: Collaborative Report

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.22.2024
Protecting Children from the Harm of Tobacco Industry: Collaborative Report
Anti-smoking organization ASH and Unfairtobacco release joint report on global tobacco industry harm towards children before World No Tobacco Day.

According to a report by the American news agency, on May 21, 2024, the American anti-smoking organization Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), in collaboration with their partner Unfairtobacco, released a joint report ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31. The report, titled "Protecting Children from the Harms of the Tobacco Industry," highlights the global harm caused to children by the tobacco industry and how advocates can use global human rights standards and tools to protect children from the harms of the tobacco industry.

 

Laurent Huber, Executive Director of ASH, stated:

 

Our children should grow up in a world free from the harm, diseases, and death caused by the tobacco industry. Every day, tobacco companies violate children's rights to health, a healthy environment, and freedom from discrimination. It is the government's responsibility to protect these fundamental rights, and we will stand united with our partners to ensure that children's rights are upheld.

 

The report reveals that approximately 6.6% of teenagers in California use tobacco products, with the tobacco industry targeting children as "replacement smokers" intentionally marketing towards them through advertisements, flavored tobacco products, and sponsoring events. Additionally, the tobacco industry is also causing other negative impacts on children's physical and mental health, including child labor, secondhand smoke, and environmental issues.

 

The report suggests that human rights mechanisms and arguments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, can help protect children from harm by the tobacco industry. Even at the local level, incorporating human rights language into anti-smoking campaigns is essential to protecting children's right to health, and should be a priority for governments at all levels.

 

ASH and Unfairtobacco will host a webinar at noon on May 23rd.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


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