Ban smoking and vaping in schools, says WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for a ban on smoking and vaping in schools to protect young people.

This week, they released two new releases – Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: a guide for schools AND Pack of school supplies without nicotine and tobacco.

The new guide and toolkit are step-by-step manuals for schools to create nicotine- and tobacco-free campuses, arguing for a ‘whole school’ approach involving teachers, staff, students and parents.

The guide calls for a ban on nicotine and tobacco products on school campuses. Other suggestions include:

• Banning the sale of nicotine and tobacco products near schools
• Prohibition of direct and indirect advertising and promotion of nicotine and tobacco products near schools
• Refusal to sponsor or engage with the tobacco and nicotine industry.

“Whether we’re sitting in a classroom, playing games outside or waiting at the school bus stop, we need to protect young people from the deadly second-hand smoke and toxic emissions of e-cigarettes, as well as the advertisements that promote these products,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, director of the WHO. of health promotion.

Fear of health risks

In the UK, government ministers are said to be preparing a ban on disposable cups as concerns grow about the number of young people using them.

Reports of plans to ban the sale of disposable vapers come as fears grow over their health risks and environmental impact.

Guardian found that five million disposable kettles are being thrown away every week in the UK, with a four-fold increase in 2022.

Additionally, the campaign group Action on Tobacco and Health (ASH) reports that the percentage of 11 to 17-year-olds who say they have tried vaping has increased from 13.9% in 2020 and 15.8% in 2022 to 20.5% in their survey this year.

The Department of Health and Social Care said: “We are concerned about the rise in youth vaping and the environmental impacts of disposables.

“That’s why we’ve launched a call for evidence to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children using and using vaping products – and to explore where the government can go next. We will give our response in due course.’

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