Tobacco's Global Grip: How Rules Are Trying to Catch Up

Tobacco remains a significant global issue, causing widespread sickness and death. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has established Articles 9 and 10 to regulate tobacco products, focusing on their composition and emissions.

The Struggle to Implement Regulations

Enforcing these rules is fraught with challenges:

• Tobacco industry interference
• Emergence of new tobacco products
• Difficulty in controlling appeal, addictiveness, and toxicity
• Lack of testing facilities in many countries
• Legal and political barriers
• Inconsistent regulations across borders

The Urgency of Action

Over 7 million people die annually from tobacco-related causes. Strong regulations are crucial to saving lives. Countries must:

• Adopt Articles 9 and 10 into national laws
• Invest in better testing laboratories
• Collaborate internationally
• Share knowledge and expertise

By addressing these challenges, nations can significantly reduce the tobacco epidemic. It's a difficult battle, but one worth fighting.