40 million children aged 13 to 15 years using tobacco products globally: WHO

  tobacco industry invests USD 9 billion every year to vertise its products targeting youngsters, with over 40 million children d 13 to 15 years presently using nicotine items globally, World Health Organization has warned. UN ncy is focusing on spreing awareness among teenrs to mark World Tobacco Day on Sunday.

"More than 40 million young people today d 13-15, have alrey started to use tobacco," WHO said, as it launched a kit for school students d 13-17 to alert m about marketing tactics of tobacco industry

"Every year tobacco industry invests more than USD 9 billion to vertise its products. Increasingly, it is targeting young people with nicotine and tobacco products in a bid to replace 8 million people that its products kill every year, ncy said.

Even during a global pandemic, tobacco and nicotine industry is pushing its products, WHO said, ding that se dictive substances limit people's ability to fight coronavirus.

"Educating youth is vital because nearly nine out of 10 smokers start before 18 years. We want to provide young people with kwledge to speak out against tobacco industry manipulation," said Director for Health Promotion at WHO Ruediger Krech.

In a bid prevent diction among 13 to 17-year-olds, ncy has highlighted commonly used tactics to watch out for.

It points out that smoking e-cigarettes and hookah pipes -- marketed as "safer" alternatives to conventional cigarettes -- is harmful, dictive, and increasing risk of developing heart and lung disease.

WHO also ted that 15,000-odd flavours of tobacco items which are sold -- such as bubble-gum and candy -- are introduced in market to attract youngsters who are likely to become serious nicotine-users later in life.

Marketing strategies during COVID-19 pandemic have included offer of free branded masks and home delivery service during quarantine.

tobacco industry has also lobbied for its products to be listed as "essential", health ncy said.

With view to reach maximum young people, WHO has also launched #TobaccoExposed challenge on youth online platform TikTok, and welcomed social media partnerships with or platforms including Pinterest and YouTube.

WHO has also launched a classroom activities kit that puts students in shoes of tobacco industry to make m aware of how manipulative tactics used by industry.

"Countries can protect children from industry exploitation by putting in place strict tobacco control laws, including regulating products like e-cigarettes that have alrey begun to hook a new generation of young people," WHO said.