Durham Region Health Department to Highlight Youth Marketing on World No Tobacco Day

The Durham Region Health Department announced it will mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31, according to a department release. The department stated it will use this event to raise awareness of the harms of tobacco and vaping, especially marketing aimed at youth.

World No Tobacco Day is observed annually to draw attention to tobacco-related health issues. According to the Health Department, vaping has become more common among youth, with research from 2020 indicating that 17 percent of Canadians aged 15 and older—about 5.2 million people—had tried vaping.

The Health Department reports that youth are at risk of nicotine addiction from e-cigarettes, which often contain added flavours that may appeal to young people. The department notes that the popularity of these products among youth can also be linked to social media and marketing by the tobacco industry. This year’s World No Tobacco Day, as stated by the Health Department, puts focus on recognizing industry tactics and supporting public health policies such as potential bans on flavours in tobacco and nicotine products.

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco and nicotine industries continue to change their strategies in order to attract and keep consumers, particularly youth, despite global progress in tobacco control measures.

Georgette Chambers, a public health nurse with the Durham Region Health Department, said, “Tobacco and vaping are increasing in schools among students. The health effects of smoke and vapour can be harmful and even worse when started at a young age. In Ontario, tobacco is responsible for 16,000 deaths each year.”

World No Tobacco Day was established by the World Health Organization in 1987. The Health Department offers information about quitting smoking and vaping, prevention strategies, and Durham-specific regulations on its website at durham.ca/TobaccoAndVaping.