Today the United Nations celebrates "No Tobacco day", an anniversary identified with a resolution of the World Health Assembly in 1988. The objective of the day is to raise awareness among the population of the health dangers deriving from the use of tobacco and the marketing practices of companies tobacco producers, on the activities of the World Health Organization against the tobacco epidemic.
In 2024, attention was focused on the need for protection of young generations by the governments of individual Member States against the predatory commercial tactics of the tobacco industry: children and adolescents can represent the basis of financial profits at long term. Recent studies have revealed an increasing use of electronic cigarettes by young people (their use increases the probability of consuming conventional cigarettes): 37 million aged between 13 and 15 use tobacco; in particular, in Europe 20% of 15-year-olds reported use in the last month. Higher rates than those estimated in the adult age group.
Their spread represents a serious current and future threat to public health.
