PAHO TV 31d ago

Message from Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Each year on 31 May, World No Tobacco Day unites governments, health organizations, civil society, and youth voices under a shared mission: to end the tobacco epidemic and secure a tobacco- and nicotine-free future for the next generation. The campaign calls on governments, partners, and civil society to strengthen regulation, close policy gaps, and safeguard future generations from the harms of tobacco and nicotine products. The 2026 campaign aims to: raise awareness of the tobacco and nicotine industry’s evolving strategies, including the use of synthetic nicotine, nicotine salts, and analogues to increase addiction potential while appearing technologically advanced; advocate for stronger policy action to protect youth through bans on flavours, advertising and promotion (including on digital and social media), and regulation of packaging and product design that increase appeal; and prevent addiction and reduce demand by equipping the public – especially youth – with the knowledge and tools to resist industry manipulation and access evidence-based cessation support.