WHO has launched a global campaign under the slogan "Tobacco: a threat to the environment" on the occasion of the No Tobacco Day in the World in 2022. The goal of the campaign is to raise public awareness of the impact, cultivation, production, distribution and waste of tobacco in the environment. At the same time, tobacco users will be given an additional reason to stop smoking.
About 8 million people die from tobacco use every year. Almost half of the world's children regularly smoke in public places, and 65,000 children die every year from diseases associated with secondhand smoke. Exposure to tobacco smoke in infants increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, which leads to complications in pregnant women and the birth of problem children. Worldwide, at least 10% of 13-15 years old smoke tobacco. 50% of children in the world breathe the air which is polluted by tobacco smoke. In Europe, 18% of teenagers use tobacco. In Eastern Europe, the number of teenage girls starting to smoke has increased from 18% to 20% over the past 10 years. In high-income countries, smoking among adolescents is declining. By 2025, the WHO report sets a goal to reduce tobacco use among 15-year-olds by 30%.
A seminar dedicated to the World Tobacco Day - May 31 was held at the Department of Pediatrics of Azerbaijan State Advanced Training Institute for Doctors named after A. Aliyev. The seminar was conducted by Associate Professor Matanat Karakhanova and the participants were provided with extensive information and WHO’s videos about smoking. In addition, statistical data on this problem in Azerbaijan and information on measures taken were provided, visual aids prepared by the Center for Public Health and Reforms of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan Republic were distributed to pediatricians.