When the harm caused by traditional cigarettes became apparent to the public, the tobacco industry changed its marketing approach and shifted its focus to a new audience of potential consumers—children and young people. Today, manufacturers are aggressively promoting new nicotine products as “modern” and “less harmful” alternatives with dessert flavors and as an integral part of a “stylish lifestyle.” In reality, this is a calculated strategy to subtly create chemical dependence in order to ensure long-term profits.
Alarming statistics on nicotine use among young people:
- 45% of young people aged 18–29 use tobacco products (among the older adult population, this figure is 29%);
- 66% of young people aged 18–29 regularly encounter direct and indirect advertising of such products (compared to 35% among adults);
- 7% of Ukrainian teenagers aged 13–15 have already tried nicotine snus, and 3% use it regularly (among the adult population, this figure is only 0.3%).
Only effective government regulation can stop the uncontrolled luring of children into the nicotine trap. Currently, two critically important bills are awaiting consideration in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine:
- Bill No. 12091—a complete ban on flavored heated tobacco products (sticks);
- Bill No. 14110-d — a ban on the sale of nicotine snus (pouches) to minors, strict marketing restrictions, the establishment of maximum permissible nicotine levels, and mandatory graphic health warnings covering 65% of the packaging.
The adoption of these measures will significantly reduce the rate of addiction among adolescents, protect the nation’s health, and bring Ukrainian legislation into line with European tobacco control standards.
Our children have an unconditional right to a healthy life—they should not be exploited as a means for the tobacco industry to profit.
Learn more about the study and the campaign: https://center-life.org/novyny/nova-obhortka-nikotynovoi-zalezhnosti/