Santiago.- The Dominican Anti-Tobacco Alliance (ADAT) joined the youth declaration on the intergenerational responsibility of the tobacco industry in order to commemorate this Friday the 12th the “International Youth Day”.
In the document, the young signatories call for intergenerational solidarity to hold the tobacco industry accountable and demand that it be held accountable for its actions that continue to cause serious harm to people and the planet.
This action is part of a global movement committed to protecting young adults, children and future generations from lifelong addiction caused by the tobacco industry.
Due to the tactics of the tobacco industry, a significant number of young people are addicted to nicotine. Many of which are destined for a lifelong struggle with their mental health and well-being.
Tobacco industry products continue to target adults as well. “We don’t want another child to lose their mother or father to smoking.”
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In the last few years alone, the hand of the tobacco industry has been seen in the vaping epidemic, the rise in prevalence of vaping, digital marketing and sports sponsorship/advertising targeting youth, the continued exploitation of child labor , ongoing environmental damage, the accumulation of toxic single-use plastics due to cigarette butts, bogus philanthropic activities, and the acquisition of pharmaceutical/recreational drug companies to cover up the damage, and influencing governments to repeal measures tobacco control or repeal regulations/bans.
With its corporate influence over government actors, the for-profit tobacco industry effectively holds the future of the next generation in its hands. We condemn the actions of the tobacco industry and those who represent its interests and call for justice.
Tobacco companies created an epidemic of youth vaping as a direct result of the marketing strategy of transnational tobacco companies.
In addition, the continued deception of these tobacco companies to public opinion, by promoting their social acceptability while continuing to exploit child labor and cover up the environmental damage they cause, which will deprive future generations of marine resources.
Similarly, tobacco companies have lobbied governments to roll back tobacco control measures or lift strict bans and regulations that have been put in place in countries.
Because tobacco products cost 8 million lives and $1.4 trillion in economic loss each year, we demand strong action to reverse this situation.
Furthermore, we condemn the continuing infliction of irreparable harm on youth and future generations by the tobacco industry.
There is a fundamental and irreconcilable conflict between the tobacco industry and public health, including the health of future generations that will be decided by the policies adopted now. On the occasion of International Youth Day, we call for intergenerational solidarity to create a World for All Ages, a sustainable future without the interference of the tobacco industry.
