World No Tobacco Day highlights health risks and environmental impacts. Many organizations use this day to draw attention to the negative consequences of tobacco production. After all, the days when a cigarette glowed in the corner of the hero’s mouth in every movie are definitely over.
“World No Tobacco Day” on May 31 highlighted the many negative effects of tobacco and nicotine products. Numerous organizations used the day to voice their criticism. The World Health Organization (WHO) designated the day to draw attention to the strategies manufacturers use to market their products. This includes deliberately low pricing, as the Swiss Cancer League notes. For 110 years, the Swiss Cancer League has been advocating for cancer patients and their families. It therefore calls for a consistent pricing policy for tobacco products. Every year, 9,200 people die as a result of tobacco use. Most of them start smoking while still minors, according to the Swiss Cancer League. Price is a crucial lever for preventing this: Higher prices would deter young people in particular from smoking. “We need uniform, sufficiently high taxation on all products, based on their potential to cause harm,” the Swiss Cancer League demands. The Swiss Tobacco Prevention Alliance, together with the Vaud Lung League, the Swiss Lung League, the Lega polmonare ticinese, the Solothurn Lung League, Stop2Drop, and OxySuisse, are also calling for higher prices.
1,000 metric tons of waste per year
Cancer isn’t the only problem caused by tobacco products. The parts of a cigarette that aren’t smoked often end up in the environment. “About 1,000 metric tons of cigarette waste end up in the Swiss environment every year,” writes OceanCare. Cigarette butt littering is often trivialized and reduced to a mere issue of behavior and cleanliness, says Ewoud Lauwerier, Plastic Policy Specialist at the environmental organization. “This misses the core of the problem.” The focus, he explains, is on the cigarette filter. It is made of cellulose acetate, a plastic that breaks down into microfibers and remains in soil and water. The environmental organization criticizes the fact that cigarette butts are one of the largest single sources of microplastics. They also bind numerous toxic substances.
Seductive Fragrance
Sucht Schweiz is also advocating for greater protection of the younger generation. The foundation, which is dedicated to addiction research and health prevention, criticizes the fruity and sweet flavors of tobacco products. It says these are one of the main reasons why young people start using tobacco products. “The pleasant taste” is among the reasons most frequently cited by young people for using these products. “This ‘candyfication’ must be stopped!” demands Addiction Switzerland.
In summary:
–> Health: 9,200 deaths annually in Switzerland
–> Environment: 1,000 metric tons of cigarette waste in Switzerland alone
–> Risk of addiction due to flavorings: Especially for young people
