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10 pct teenagers in Western Pacific region use tobacoo: report

Xinhua, June 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

One of 12 students aged 13-15 years in 22 Western Pacific countries have used some form of tobacco, according to a report of the World Health Organization released Tuesday.

The report titled Youth and Tobacco in the Western Pacific Region: global youth tobacco survey 2005-2014 said at least 4.2 million students in the region are cigarette smokers.

The report said youths started smoking even before the age of 10.

"The report highlights the need for continued vigilance and robust actions to protect youth from tobacco harms," the WHO said in a statement.

"Tobacco surveillance and monitoring are essential components of international policies to tobacco control," said Shin Young-soo, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific.

Shin stressed the need to "remain vigilant to ensure the future of our youth won't be marred by tobacco's deplorable harms."

"To use the youth as today's tobacco customers is unacceptable," Shin said.

Globally, the statement said 6 million people died from smoking.

"Thirty percent of all tobacco-related deaths occur in the Western Pacific region. Most smokers start using tobacco at a a young age and continue throughout adulthood," said the statement.

As a consequence, it said a significant proportion will experience tobacco-related illness and death.

"Prevention of tobacco use among youth is essential to reduce the increasing global burden of noncommunicable diseases" the statement said.

"Monitoring youth uptake of tobacco use is of critical importance in all countries of the Western Pacific, as the tobacco industry continue to target young people," it added.

WHO said the effects of the tobacco epidemic "are shown in higher rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory disease in adults, further resulting in premature disease and death."

In the 22 countries surveyed, the report said 44.1 percent or 28.8 million students were found to have exposed to second-hand smoke in public places, schools and homes.

"Smoking before the age of 10 is common. In 80 percent of the countries, early initiation rate is higher than 10 percent," the report said. Endit