South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) celebratesnthe # No Tobacco Day to raise awareness on the importance of the protection ofnthe new generations in the SEE Health Network – 9 Member States.
nnnnEvery year, WHO recognizesnindividuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for theirnaccomplishments in the area of tobacco control. This recognition takes the formnof WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and World No Tobacco DaynAwards.
nnnnThis year among the EuropeannRegion awardees, is Dr Ghenadie Turcanu, program coordinator, Center for HealthnPolicies and Studies, Republic of Moldova.
nnnnSEEHN is congratulatingnand recognizing the champions in the SEE Region that are role models in thentobacco control area.
nnnnTobacco products kill more than 8 million people everynyear. Tobacco use is responsible for 25% of all cancer deaths globally. Usenof nicotine and tobacco productsnincreases the risk for cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Over 1 million people die from second-hand smoke exposure every year.
nnnnItnneeds also to be highlighted that the third-nhand smoke is residual nicotine and other chemicals left on indoor surfacesnby tobacco smoke. People are exposed to these chemicals byntouching contaminated surfaces or breathing in the off-gassing from thesensurfaces. This residue is thought to react with common indoor pollutants toncreate a toxic mix including cancer causing compounds, posing a potentialnhealth hazard to nonsmokers — especially children.
nnnnTobacco and related industries’ target children andnadolescents by using market tactics that include:
nnnn- Overn15,000 flavors, most of which attract children and adolescents
- Socialnmedia influencers in marketing
- Sponsornevents and parties
- Schoolnscholarships
- Sleek,nsexy designs
- Productnplacement in entertainment media
- Freenproduct samples
- Singlenstick cigarettes that make addiction more affordable
- Sellnproducts at eye level for children
- Productnplacement and advertising near schools
nnSEE Health Networknhas the dream of tobacco free generations, decrease of second-hand smoke andnthird-hand smoke and the deaths and diseases that they cause. This is a questnfor all public health professionals around the Region through enforcement ofnthe anti-tobacco legislation and strong mechanisms of implementation andncontrol. nnnn
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