World No Tobacco Day 2026: New Nicotine Products Marketed to Youth in Sri Lanka

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about how the tobacco and nicotine industries are employing redesigned products and marketing strategies to attract new users, particularly children and young people. On World No Tobacco Day 2026, observed on May 31, WHO emphasized that these industries are continually innovating to sustain addiction.

According to the WHO, "there is no safe form of nicotine or tobacco use," and sustained vigilance is required to protect public health gains. Globally, at least 40 million adolescents aged 13–15 years are already using tobacco products, with e-cigarettes and emerging products on the rise. The global campaign is calling for strengthened regulatory measures, including flavour bans, comprehensive advertising restrictions, and tighter controls on product design.

A WHO report on nicotine pouches reveals their aggressive marketing using youth-friendly flavors, sleek packaging, and social media promotion. Approximately 160 countries lack specific regulations for these products, allowing them to be marketed as discreet or tobacco-free while delivering highly addictive nicotine levels.

In Sri Lanka, the 2020 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) found that 19.4% of adults use tobacco, amounting to around 3.2 million people. Smokeless tobacco products remain a significant concern. Despite a decline in cigarette use, the persistence of smokeless tobacco and informal products necessitates comprehensive approaches. While Sri Lanka has historically been a leader in tobacco control, new marketing tactics and products threaten to reverse these achievements.