The Syrian Future Movement believes that public health is the cornerstone of societal stability. Accordingly, the Movement joins the international community today, May 31, 2026, in commemorating World No Tobacco Day under this year’s global theme: “Unveiling the Allure: Combating Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction.”
The Syrian Future Movement explains that the roots of this annual event date back to 1987, when the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA40.38, designating April 7, 1988, as World No Tobacco Day. This date was later officially changed by Resolution WHA42.19 in 1988 to May 31st of each year, a fixed and sustainable date.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that the core value and humanitarian message of this day lies in upholding the right to life and good health, protecting future generations from falling into the trap of systematic addiction, and alleviating the devastating economic and environmental burdens imposed by the tobacco industry on developing countries and communities suffering from conflicts and complex crises.
The Syrian Future Movement bases its assessment of the current health situation on the latest statistical reports issued by the World Health Organization, which clearly indicate that tobacco causes more than 8 million deaths annually worldwide, including approximately 1.2 million deaths resulting from exposure to secondhand smoke.
The Syrian Future Movement expresses its deep concern regarding the alarming data and indicators confirming that 40 million children aged 13 to 15 use tobacco products globally.
We also note with profound regret the WHO’s regional data, which ranks the Syrian Arab Republic third regionally in terms of smoking prevalence among adolescent males, reaching 32%. This is a dangerous indicator that threatens the human capital and developmental future of the country.
The Syrian Future Movement condemns the deceptive and sophisticated marketing strategies employed by major tobacco companies, which are currently focused on promoting modern nicotine alternatives such as e-cigarettes (vapes), artificial nicotine, and attractively flavored packaging to appeal to teenagers and young adults. Recent medical reports indicate that adolescents are now approximately nine times more likely to use e-cigarettes than adults.
The Syrian Future Movement issues an urgent national and humanitarian appeal to all societal forces, humanitarian and educational organizations, and local and international medical institutions operating inside Syria and in refugee camps, urging them to activate monitoring mechanisms, intensify awareness campaigns, and provide psychological and medical support centers to help adolescents and young adults quit smoking and protect them from this intergenerational scourge.
