Are we ready to say goodbye to tobacco forever?

Can you imagine a future in which tobacco would disappear? Today, it seems an unattainable utopia in countries where consumption is still high. In Spain, for example, where although there is a slight downward trend, still about 25% of people over 15 years of age smoke daily. If we look at Europe, the variability between countries is significant: while in the United Kingdom about 13% of the population smokes, in Serbia this figure rises to almost 37%. In Latin America, consumption is somewhat lower, with Argentina and Chile being the only countries with consumption above 20%. Faced with the evidence of how harmful this habit is, over the last few years many countries have proposed to end tobacco, in a strategy they have baptized as "tobacco endgame". The goal is to take the leap and stop just controlling to, once and for all, put an end to the tobacco epidemic.

An epidemic that kills more than eight million people a year worldwide (about 56,000 people in Spain alone). As if that were not enough, it causes multiple diseases and generates significant economic costs and environmental impact. In fact, cigarette butts are one of the most abundant plastic waste. Goal achieved: when less than 5% of the population smokes Putting their feet on the ground, the goal is that less than 5% of people smoke in a specific region from a certain date (mainly between 2025 and 2040). But how?

On the one hand, it has been recommended to follow the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an international treaty that includes basic measures such as monitoring consumption, protecting people from tobacco smoke, offering help to quit smoking, reporting the harmful effects of consumption and complying with prohibitions on advertising and sponsorship. In Romania, just over 50% of these measures have been implemented, while in the Netherlands it is around 82%.

On the other hand, innovative solutions have been proposed, which go beyond the Framework Agreement. For example, the radical increase in the price (the most effective measure to reduce consumption), the reduction of the nicotine content of cigarettes, the expansion of smoke-free spaces (to beaches, for example) and the increase in the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco.

However, the most striking proposal is the prohibition of the sale of tobacco to people born after a certain year with the aim of achieving "tobacco-free generations". This measure was proposed, for example, in New Zealand, for people born after 2009. Unfortunately, the decision was reversed due to political changes. Also in different countries in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, it is being considered.

The benefits of achieving the goal would be enormous. Among other reasons, because it has been estimated that 40% of deaths from lung cancer could be prevented if tobacco sales were stopped to those born between 2006 and 2010.

In Spain, after years of inaction on tobacco control, the Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking 2024-2027 proposes the "end of the tobacco game" by 2040, somewhat later than France, which has set a deadline of 2032.

Goal achieved: when less than 5% of the population smokes

Putting their feet on the ground, the goal is that less than 5% of people smoke in a specific region from a certain date (mainly between 2025 and 2040). But how? On the one hand, it has been recommended to follow the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an international treaty that includes basic measures such as monitoring consumption, protecting people from tobacco smoke, offering help to quit smoking, reporting the harmful effects of consumption and complying with prohibitions on advertising and sponsorship. In Romania, just over 50% of these measures have been implemented, while in the Netherlands it is around 82%.

On the other hand, innovative solutions have been proposed, which go beyond the Framework Agreement. For example, the radical increase in the price (the most effective measure to reduce consumption), the reduction of the nicotine content of cigarettes, the expansion of smoke-free spaces (to beaches, for example) and the increase in the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco.

However, the most striking proposal is the prohibition of the sale of tobacco to people born after a certain year with the aim of achieving "tobacco-free generations". This measure was proposed, for example, in New Zealand, for people born after 2009. Unfortunately, the decision was reversed due to political changes. Also in different countries in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, it is being considered.

The benefits of achieving the goal would be enormous. Among other reasons, because it has been estimated that 40% of deaths from lung cancer could be prevented if tobacco sales were stopped to those born between 2006 and 2010.

In Spain, after years of inaction on tobacco control, the Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking 2024-2027 proposes the "end of the tobacco game" by 2040, somewhat later than France, which has set a deadline of 2032.

Neither traditional cigarettes nor other nicotine products

It is important to clarify that the fight against tobacco must include any product that contains nicotine. That is, electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine sachets are included. Despite the fact that the industry promotes them as "reduced risk", they can be a gateway to traditional tobacco consumption, especially among young people.

In addition, the regulation of these products poses, due to their disparity, different challenges. Perhaps one of the most important is the advertising of these products through social networks (through influencers, for example). This problem is exacerbated due to the increasingly common use of screen devices and social networks by young people.

Everything points to the fact that, although there is still a long way to go to achieve the tobacco endgame and the goal of "tobacco-free generations", the steps that are being taken are going in the right direction.