On May 31, 2025, World No Tobacco Day will be celebrated, an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) which, this year, has adopted the theme “Unmasking the tobacco industry: exposing companies’ tactics to make tobacco and nicotine products more attractive”. The campaign aims to reveal the strategies used by these industries to make their products more attractive, especially to young people, and to promote public policies that reduce the demand for these products.
Industry strategies and the impact on youth
The tobacco and nicotine industry has adopted various tactics to attract new consumers, such as the use of flavorings, product design and eye-catching packaging, as well as targeted marketing campaigns. These strategies have been particularly effective among young people, contributing to increased consumption of products such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco devices.
According to WHO data, an estimated 37 million children aged 13 to 15 use tobacco products worldwide. In many countries, the rate of e-cigarette use among young people exceeds that of adults. These products are highly addictive and designed to keep users in a cycle of dependency.
Objectives of the 2025 campaign
The World No Tobacco Day 2025 campaign seeks to:
- Raise awareness of the industry’s tactics to make tobacco and nicotine products more attractive.
- Promote changes in public policy, such as a ban on flavorings and additives, restrictions on advertising and regulation of product and packaging design.
- Reduce the demand for these products, especially among young people, by decreasing their exposure and consumption.
BIREME’s information resources
BIREME, committed to the dissemination of reliable health information, makes available the Window of Knowledge on Smoking in the Virtual Health Library (VHL). This Window of Knowledge brings together technical documents, scientific evidence and guidance materials related to the topic, serving as a valuable resource for health professionals, managers and the general public.