Asia Warned to Take Measures to Reduce Youth Smoking May 30, 2002
News Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned Asian nations that 25 percent of their youth will die from smoking unless tougher anti-smoking regulations are implemented, the Canadian Press reported May 28."The industry is seeking a new generation of young smokers to replace the millions who die from tobacco," said Shigeru Omi, director for the WHO's Western Pacific Region.
In several Asian countries, multinational tobacco companies are among the top 10 advertisers. Each year, the tobacco companies spend billions of dollars to promote cigarettes and sponsor sports events and pop concerts.
"Children deserve to grow up in environment free from such marketing," said Harley Stanton of the WHO's regional Tobacco Free Initiative.
According to WHO, each day 50,000 teenagers throughout Asia start smoking. With the exception of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand, Asian countries have some of the world's weakest tobacco-control laws.
The WHO recommended that Asian countries increase cigarette taxes, ban advertising and sponsorships, and implement anti-smoking education campaigns.
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