Case in point A new study published in The Lancet Public Health suggests that a ban on tobacco sales to people born between 2006 and 2010 could prevent approximately 1.2 million lung cancer-related deaths by the end of the century. However, there is disagreement among young people about whether such a ban would be effective, with some expressing concern that it could give cigarettes an illegal element and potentially provide fertile ground for criminal gangs. Gen Z is made up of approximately 650 million people, and if nothing is done about tobacco use, 3 million of these are likely to die from tobacco-related causes before 2100. Researchers have drawn data on cancer and deaths from 185 countries, and found that over 45 percent of deaths related to lung cancer among men and 31 percent among women can be prevented through a tobacco ban. In Norway, there has been an increase in the number of young people who smoke, especially among those who state that they smoke “occasionally”. percent. New Zealand became the first country to ban cigarette sales to people born after 2008 in 2022, but it is uncertain whether the measure will be maintained under the country’s new Conservative government. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Refusing people born between 2006 and 2010 to buy tobacco could save many lives. This is shown by a new study published in The Lancet Public Health. According to a new model researchers have designed, a ban could prevent approximately 1.2 million deaths linked to lung cancer by the end of the century. Mikkel Angelo lives in Trondheim. He is 27 years old and does not smoke himself, but does not think a ban will work very well either. Although a ban could save millions of lives, Mikkel Angelo does not think it will work well in practice. Photo: Private – I’m against smoking and the tobacco industry, but I still don’t think “gen Z” should be banned from buying cigarettes. Mostly because it will give cigarettes an illegal element, which in turn makes it cooler to try. He believes that making it illegal will make things worse. – It can create a new foothold for criminal gangs. They can establish themselves and get more money and power. I think the consequences of banning this could create a problem that becomes more difficult to deal with, says Angelo. The latest figures from Norway show that the number of young smokers is constantly increasing. – Strong impression “Gen Z” consists of approximately 650 million people. And if nothing is done about the problem, 3 million of these will most likely die due to tobacco use before the year 2100. – Even though we already know how dangerous smoking is, it makes a strong impression to see this new study that shows how many extra lives we can save through a ban. If fewer people start and more people stop smoking, we will be able to prevent millions of cancer cases in the future. This is what the Secretary General of the Cancer Association, Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross, says to news. The new study will be the first to attempt to assess the impact a tobacco-free generation will have on future health. Should it be illegal for people born between 2006 – 2010 to buy tobacco? Yes, that’s a good idea No, people must be allowed to choose for themselves Don’t know Show result Can prevent two out of three deaths The researchers have extracted data on cancer and deaths from 185 countries. Using the model, they found, among other things, that over 45 percent of deaths linked to lung cancer among men can be prevented. Among women, the same figure is 31 per cent. These figures reflect the total in the study. – The difference is linked to the industry’s gender-targeted marketing in recent decades, says researcher Isabelle Soerjomataram. Smoking is the cause of approximately 85 percent of all lung cancer cases, according to figures from the World Health Organization. Photo: Jørgen Leangen / news But in some places, such as in North America and parts of Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the model shows that a ban can prevent more deaths among women than men. – Lung cancer is very deadly. And about two-thirds of these deaths are preventable. So says the author behind the study, Julia Rey Brandariz. She is employed at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Hates the smell and feels under pressure Tuva Finsrud is 20 years old and studies sociology. She thinks a ban is a good idea. – If tobacco had been invented in 2024, it would not have been legal, especially not for such young people. It is not only extremely harmful to health and addictive, but also very scary for people around, says the student. She herself says that she hates the smell of smoke. – It settles on clothes, hair and other places, even if you don’t smoke yourself. I can’t enjoy the nightlife in the city with my friends because the smell of smoke in bars and clubs is absolutely terrible. She also says that she experiences pressure to smoke. Tuva Finsrud believes that instead of banning young people from buying cigarettes, the act itself should be banned. Otherwise, you will manage to obtain it by illegal means. Photo: Privat More young people in Norway smoke In August this year, Statistics Norway published new figures showing that young people in Norway smoke more. It is the group that states that they smoke “occasionally” that is growing. Among young men, the figure has risen to nearly 20 per cent. – We have had a positive decline in daily smoking among young people over time, but the latest figures worry us. Now, daily smoking is increasing, and as many as one in five young people smoke daily or occasionally in this country. – We believe that no young people smoke anymore is a deadly myth. And that underlines the need to continue the good work in Norway to bring down the tobacco figures. That’s what Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross of the Cancer Society says. She says they have advocated a generation ban a number of times, such as the politicians in Great Britain and New Zealand. – Stopping selling tobacco to new generations is one of the most important things we can do to prevent today’s young people from becoming addicted to smoke, snuff and e-cigarettes. In addition to a ban, more measures are needed, says Ingrid Stenstadvoll Ross. Such as, for example, help to quit smoking, high taxes and more smoke-free outdoor areas. Photo: Jorunn Valle Nilsen New Zealand has said no In 2022, New Zealand became the first country in the world to ban cigarette sales to people born after 2008. But late last year, the country’s new, conservative government announced that the measure may be lifted. Parts of Australia and the USA have also tried the same. In Great Britain, politicians have also been positive about banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2009. Could a ban be relevant in Norway? – There have not been concrete proposals that have been sufficiently discussed, says Rødt politician Seher Aydar. She is a member of the health and care committee at the Storting. And thinks the model New Zealand introduced is exciting. – This is a country we can compare ourselves to, and it is therefore not unnatural to consider similar solutions here. We must carefully discuss whether it is the model that best suits Norway before we come to a conclusion. Seher Aydar in Rødt says the development in Norway is also something that must be taken seriously. She believes that more measures are needed to limit the use of tobacco. Photo: Hallgeir Aunan / news The authors behind the new study make reservations that there are other causes of lung cancer and death than tobacco. They mention both air pollution and being exposed to passive smoking. In addition, they are clear that such a ban will not help with mortality for adult smokers. Published 18.10.2024, at 18.40
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Banning “gen Z” from buying cigarettes can at best save 1.2 million lives in the future – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
