Times more at risk: New tobacco products luring children, warn experts

World No Tobacco Day on May 31 highlighted how new tobacco and nicotine products increasingly target youth, with experts noting that children are up to nine times more likely than adults to be attracted to these products. Marketing tactics such as appealing flavours, sleek designs, and digital promotion contribute to the addiction risk. The theme, Unmasking the Appeal: Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction, underscores industry strategies to lure younger users. The WHO World No Tobacco Day Award 2026 was awarded to the ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) for its work in tobacco control and cancer prevention. Experts warned that smokeless tobacco, including gutkha and khaini, remains a serious health threat, and that packaging and marketing continue to evolve in ways that appeal to youths.