Today, the World Health Organization released two new publications,"Freedom from tobacco and nicotine: guide for schools," and"Nicotine- and tobacco-free school toolkit" to help protect children's health just in time for back-to-school season in many countries.with tobacco and nicotine products resulting in e-cigarette use increasing and 9 out of 10 smokers starting before the age of 18.
"Whether sitting in class, playing games outside or waiting at the school bus stop, we must protect young people from deadly second-hand smoke and toxic e-cigarette emissions as well as ads promoting these products," said Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion, World Health Organization. The new guide and toolkit are step by step manuals for schools to create nicotine- and tobacco-free campuses, but it takes a"whole of school" approach - which includes teachers, staff, students, parents, etc. The guide and toolkit include topics on how to support students to quit, education campaigns, implementing policies and how to enforce them.