Canada (Commonwealth Union)_ Recently, two new publications were released by the World Health Organization, “Nicotine-and tobacco-free school toolkit “and “Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: guide for schools” to protect children’s health just in time for back-to-school season in most countries.
The tobacco industry persistently targets young individuals with tobacco and nicotine products ensuing that e-cigarette use increases in 9 out of 10 smokers starting before the age of 18. For young people, products have been made more affordable through the sale of single-use cigarettes and e-cigarettes, which typically lack health warnings.
Last month, regulators in the US advised companies to stop selling illegal e-cigarettes that appeal to youth by resembling school supplies, teddy bears, and even cartoon characters.
Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion, World Health Organization, said, whether playing games outside, sitting in class or waiting at the school bus stop, we must protect young individuals from deadly second-hand smoke and toxic e-cigarette emissions as well as ads which promotes these products.
The new guide and toolkit are step by step manuals for schools to create nicotine- and tobacco-free campuses, but it takes a “whole of school” approach – which includes students, staff, teachers and parents. The toolkit and guide include topics, which help support students to quit, implementing policies, education campaigns, and how to enforce them.
For young individuals, the guide highlights four ways to foster a nicotine-and tobacco-free environment, such as:
- In school campuses banning nicotine and tobacco products.
- Near schools prohibiting the sale of nicotine and tobacco products.
- Near schools banning direct and indirect ads and promotion of nicotine and tobacco products.
- Rejecting sponsorship or engagement with tobacco and nicotine industries.
Countries worldwide were happy in the publication as having successfully implemented policies which supports tobacco- and nicotine-free campuses including, Ukraine, Arabia, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Ireland, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, and Syria.
The new WHO guide can help create nicotine- and tobacco-free schools that help keep children healthy and safe. Nicotine- and tobacco-free policies help prevent young individuals from starting to smoke; create a healthier, more productive student body; protect youth from toxic chemicals in second-hand smoke; lessen cigarette litter; and cut cleaning costs.
To protect individuals’ health, WHO asks all countries to make all indoor public places completely smoke-free in line with Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
