2024-12-19, Thu.

Top Stories       Business       Culture & Life       Science & Technology       World

Lecture

Notification

 

NEWS > World


Report Underlines the Importance of Innovation Towards a Smoke-Free EU

Date: 2024-10-23

LISBON, PORTUGAL -- We Are Innovation (WAI) published a Briefing Paper titled “The EU’s Smoke-Free Future and the Role of Innovation — Findings from the Special Eurobarometer 539.” The paper explores how the EU is far from achieving a smoke-free status unless its strategies against smoking are revised.

The Eurobarometer’s findings showed that 24% of Europeans still smoke, placing the EU significantly behind its goal of becoming “smoke-free” by 2040. Global public health experts define a country as “smoke-free” when its smoking prevalence is of 5% or less. The slow rate of smoking decline suggests that this scenario may not be reached until 2100, i.e., 60 years later. However, some success stories are keeping hope alive.

Countries that enable smokers to move and stay away from cigarettes, through progressive regulatory frameworks for alternative products, are witnessing more significant decreases in their smoking rates. This is the case of Sweden, where smoking rates have been in freefall since 2006, and Czechia and Greece more recently. On the other hand, countries that do not endorse the role of innovation, like Estonia, have seen the opposite trend.

This is consistent with research conducted outside the EU. The decline of smoking rates in the UK, Switzerland, the USA, New Zealand, and Japan are linked to an uptake of vaping and tobacco heating products, among others.

WAI’s analysis suggests that innovative products act as an “off-ramp” to quit smoking, rather than an “on-ramp” for non-smokers to start using nicotine.

A smart regulatory environment for alternative products may have further benefits, like stimulating economic growth through enhancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation. It can also help reduce health disparities, as lower-income groups tend to smoke more.

The briefing paper suggests that the EU’s path toward a “smoke-free” future should include a reassessment of the current policies and a combination of traditional measures and programs with innovative alternatives to smoking. Prioritising the accessibility, acceptability, and affordability of diverse options to help with cessation can be the key.



 to the Top List of News

Tourism in Asia and the Pacific Reach 85% of 2019 Levels, With Japan Standing out as One of the Top Earners Globally
Now Is the Time To Host Events in Japan, With the Yen at a Low!
Nurse Maria Victoria Juan From Philippines Wins the Prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024
Yakult, Lurpak, Sennheiser, BYD, Casio and Spotify Are Among the Global Winners of the 2024-2025 World Branding Awards
Under the Patronage of HRH the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia is readying to Host Landmark World Investment Conference 2024
Keturah Reserve Infrastructure Works Completed
28th World Investment Conference Kicks Off in Riyadh, Uniting Global Leaders in Investment for Sustainable Growth

 

Game-Changing Innovation: Sweden Near Smoke-Free Status
Keturah Completes Infrastructure Works for ¡®The Ritz-Carlton Residenc...
Quit Like Sweden Celebrates Sweden¡¯s Historic Milestone News
From Rice Farming to Biochar: Greenery to Present Innovative and Low-C...
Empowering Communities: Transformative Solutions for Challenging Envir...
Dubai¡¯s Museum of the Future Gathers 2,500 Futurists to Answer World...
Digital Cooperation Organization at Summit of the Future: Accelerating...
LG¡¯s Global Efforts to Combat Hunger on World Food Day
Xsolla and Long Tale Games Launch Charity Campaign With Life Is Feudal...
World Stroke Organization Launches Global Coalition to Drive Policy Ac...

 

 

60, Gamasanro 27gil, Guro-gu, Seoul, Korea, e-mail: news@newsji.com

Copyright, NEWSJI NETWORK.