31st May.
31 May marks World No Tobacco Day, a global call to action that exposes the deadly deception behind tobacco and nicotine products. While these products are often marketed with vibrant packaging, sweet flavours, and slick campaigns, their purpose remains disturbingly clear: to addict.
This year’s theme: “Bright Products. Dark Intentions. Unmasking the Appeal” shines a spotlight on the manipulative tactics used by the tobacco and nicotine industries to lure in young users and keep current users hooked.
The Global Tobacco Epidemic: A Man-Made Crisis
The World Health Organization (WHO) established World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use. Since then, it has become a rallying point for individuals, health advocates, and governments working to combat the tobacco epidemic — a crisis responsible for more than 8 million deaths every year.
This year’s campaign goes further by exposing how the industry’s strategy isn’t just about selling products — it’s about engineering addiction. From enticing flavours and colourful packaging to influencer-style promotions, the tobacco industry targets youth and vulnerable populations with ruthless precision.
Hooking the Next Generation
Let’s be clear: this is not accidental. Tobacco and nicotine industries are deliberately crafting products that appeal to children and teens. With more than 16,000 unique flavours, from bubblegum to mango ice, the goal is to mask the harshness of tobacco, making it easier to start and harder to stop. It’s marketing disguised as innocence.
These manipulative tactics create a false sense of safety, leading many to underestimate the risks — until addiction takes hold.
“Nicotine and tobacco products are not just harmful; they’re designed to be harmful.”
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus
No More Tricks. No More Traps.
WHO and its global partners are demanding action. Here’s how you and your community can join the movement.
- Ban Flavours
Make flavours a thing of the past. They’re the #1 reason young people start using nicotine and tobacco products.
- Regulate Product Design
Enforce rules that reduce addictiveness, toxicity, and visual appeal.
- Plain Packaging
Strip away the glamour. Reduce appeal, save lives.
- Ban Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship
Keep harmful products out of sight, out of mind.
- Tobacco- and Nicotine-Free Public Spaces
Everyone deserves clean air. Let’s protect it.
- Support Quitting
Empower people to break the cycle of addiction with accessible support.
- Increase Taxes
Make tobacco and nicotine products less affordable and less accessible.
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its guidelines provide the foundation for countries to implement and manage tobacco control. To help make this a reality, WHO introduced the MPOWER measures. Find out more here:
Join the Global Conversation
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, WHO will host an online event featuring global health leaders, researchers, youth advocates, and government officials. They’ll unveil how tobacco companies design and market their products — and what countries are doing to fight back.
This is not just a moment for awareness; it’s a call to action.
Don’t let the tobacco and nicotine industries shape our future with deceit. It’s time to push back against the illusion of safety, sweetness, and style.
Let’s make it crystal clear: No more tricks. No more traps.
For more information and detailed program visit the website.
Published in GI-Mail 05/2025 (English & German edition).
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