Protecting children and young people from tobacco

The damage to public health caused by tobacco consumption is considerable. Over 650,000 Europeans die every year because they smoke. 13 million more smokers suffer from serious chronic diseases. Reducing smoking prevalence amongst young people is a priority of the tobacco control agenda. Not least, because over 80 per cent of all smokers began smoking by the age of 18 years old. There is also evidence that smoking prevalence remains high amongst young people at a time when smoking rates overall are falling.

It is also firmly established that exposure to second-hand smoke kills non-smokers and exacerbates illnesses. This has led to many countries introducing legislation to ban smoking indoors in workplaces and public places – including premises often used by young people. However, many children and young people – who are particularly vulnerable to exposure to second-hand smoke - continue to be exposed to second-hand smoke. This has serious health and equity implications.

Working with Communities to Reduce Health Inequalities: Protecting Children and Young People from Tobacco, a project in which EPHA member the European Network for Smoking Prevention is an associate partner, will attempt to fill these important gaps.

Focusing on tobacco control priorities, this project aims to reduce high smoking prevalence rates amongst young people and exposure of children and young people to second-hand smoke. It targets children and young people from socially excluded and disadvantaged communities that have poor health indicators.

For more information

 European Network for Smoking Prevention

Related EPHA articles

 Tobacco or Health in the European Union - Past, Present and Future
 Commission proposes to continue financing Community Tobacco Fund to pay for awareness-raising on dangers of tobacco
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