I am talking, of course, about tobacco. Some say WHO should not concern itself with a health threat they say is voluntary and whose effects appear mainly in old age. WHO should instead focus on eradicating polio or fighting malaria. I say we will do both. WHO the World Health Organization - would not be doing its job if it does not do whatever it can to reduce the impact of the tobacco epidemic.
Civilized societies protect their children and adolescents against risks.
Tobacco looms high among them. And when half of those who die do so in middle age, I would dispute that this is not a central problem in terms of economic burden and tragedy. Currently, food products are regulated by foods and drugs authorities in most countries, while tobacco is not. This will have to change. And it will.