ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments around the globe to impose an immediate ban on all flavoured tobacco and nicotine products in a bid to protect youth from addiction and deadly diseases.
The demand was made in a strong statement released on World No Tobacco Day, observed on June 1.
According to WHO, flavoured products—including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pouches, cigars, and hookahs—are not only addictive and toxic but also marketed in a way that appeals especially to young people.
The UN health agency warns that these flavours, such as bubble gum, menthol, and cotton candy, dangerously mask the harsh reality of nicotine consumption.
Targeting Youth with Sweetened Poison
The WHO emphasized that the use of colourful, youth-targeted packaging and flavour names plays a major role in drawing adolescents toward nicotine products.
This targeted marketing has been shown to activate reward centres in teenage brains, weakening the impact of health warnings and making it harder for users to quit.
“Flavoured nicotine products are being disguised as candy and fun,” the agency said. “These flavours are turning harmful substances into youth-friendly bait.” WHO added that social media platforms are flooded with content that glamorizes the use of such products, contributing to their rapid spread among teenagers and young adults.
Global Health at Risk
Despite decades of efforts in global tobacco control, WHO reports that eight million people continue to die each year from tobacco-related causes.
Flavoured tobacco and nicotine products are now seen as a significant roadblock in reversing this trend. WHO’s call to action references Articles 9 and 10 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which require countries to regulate the contents and disclosure of tobacco products, including additives like flavours.
The health agency also released a series of fact sheets to inform policymakers and the public about the risks posed by flavoured nicotine.
WHO insists that banning flavours is a necessary step to prevent another generation from falling into addiction and suffering long-term health consequences.
