World No Tobacco Day 2026, themed "Unmask the appeal – countering tobacco and nicotine addiction," targets the aggressive marketing and product design strategies industries use to addict younger generations. Globally, 40 million adolescents use tobacco, and 15 million use e-cigarettes, making youths nine times more likely to vape than adults. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and WHO advocate for strict policy interventions, including banning flavours, implementing plain packaging, and prohibiting advertising. The campaign empowers communities by providing toolkits to build nicotine-free schools and comprehensive guides supporting individuals in breaking the cycle of nicotine addiction.

References

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