Today is ‘World No Tobacco Day' but a new study shows that, to the contrary more Belizeans than ever are lighting up and smoking cigarettes.
And even more interesting is that according to the Belize global youth tobacco survey released this morning, about 1 out of 5 teenagers currently use tobacco products. That's why, in observance of World No Tobacco Day, the Pan American Health Organization held a youth forum on tobacco use and youth. PAHO's technical advisor Lorraine Thompson led the discussion with the high school students.
Lorraine Thompson, PAHO
"It's clear that the level of knowledge is very high and despite that young people continue to smoke. I think the programs like the school program SHAPES and the fact that NDACC has been out there doing all this education shows that it has had quite a lot of effect but there are other issues outside of that contribute to tobacco use among youths. In our discussions this morning some of them talked about acceptance, you know wanting to be accepted by their peers and the fact that part of the findings show that for boys and girls of that age those who smoke were seen to be more attractive even. Another factor is that they are exposed to tobacco use in the home and then it is like a way of life because cigarettes are a way of life and anybody can go and buy cigarettes."
Last September Belize signed onto the framework convention on tobacco control. The convention calls for strict regulation of tobacco product contents, higher tobacco taxes, and promotion of tobacco prevention. Belize signed but has not yet to ratify the convention.