Nicotine Poses a Serious Threat to Public Health: Why it Needs Strict UN Control
News
Apr 11, 2025
Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, is a growing public health crisis. With the rise of e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and flavored products targeting children, urgent action is needed. Dr. David Chalom, a senior consultant in orthopedic surgery, argues that nicotine must be reviewed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and placed under strict international control by the UN to protect future generations.
The Dangers of Tobacco and Nicotine
1. Tobacco: A leading cause of preventable death
Tobacco is the leading cause of non-communicable diseases worldwide. Two-thirds of long-term smokers die from smoking-related illnesses. Unfortunately, tobacco use persists because of nicotine addiction.
2. Nicotine: A potent neurotoxin and highly addictive drug
Originally used as an insecticide, nicotine is toxic to humans. It’s also more addictive than cocaine and amphetamines, leading to lifelong dependency. Other issues with nicotine include:
– Impairing brain development in youth (up to age 25), increasing risks of:
– Mental health disorders
– Addiction to other drugs (alcohol, narcotics)
– Poor cognitive function
– Damaging blood vessels, reducing oxygen supply to organs, leading to
– Increased risk of stroke and heart disease
– Poor healing and tissue degeneration
– Harming fertility, pregnancy, and infants, increasing risks of:
– Miscarriage
– Low birth weight
– Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
The Rise of New Nicotine Products Targeting Youth
The tobacco industry exploits regulatory loopholes by introducing flavored nicotine products designed to attract children:
– E-cigarettes (vapes)
– Nicotine pouches (“white snus”)
– Nicotine candies (jelly beans, gummies, lollipops)
– Lip balms, mints, and Tic-Tacs laced with nicotine
Alarming Trends in Sweden (2012-2024 Data)
The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (C.A.N.) did a nationwide school investigation between 2012 and 2024 on 9th graders and 2nd-year high schoolers. It found that 9th graders and high school students are increasingly using:
– E-cigarettes
– Nicotine pouches
– Snus
All of this is problematic. While these youths are considered “non-smoking,” they become addicted to nicotine, later transitioning to cigarettes.
What Experts and International Conventions Say
- European Respiratory Society (ERS)
No evidence supports claims that nicotine products help smokers quit. Most e-cigarette users continue smoking traditional cigarettes. Thus, nicotine remains harmful and addictive.
- WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
Governments must work to:
– Eliminate tobacco and nicotine use
– Protect children from addiction
– Reduce secondhand smoke exposure
- UN Conventions
Consider two UN Conventions: the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961/1972) and the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971). These treaties allow scheduling substances that pose serious public health risks.
Why Nicotine Must Be Reviewed by the WHO and Controlled by the UN
Nicotine meets all criteria for strict international control:
– Highly addictive
– Widely abused, especially by youth
– Minimal therapeutic value
– Serious public health threat
Call to Action: Steps Toward a Nicotine-Free Generation by 2030
Nicotine isn’t just an addiction; it’s a public health emergency. With flavored products targeting children and the rising outh addiction rates, immediate action is needed. The WHO must review nicotine, and the UN must impose strict controls to protect future generations.
Yet, from the individual to the state level, everyone has a role to play:
– Governments: Notify the UN Secretary-General to review nicotine.
– NGOs & Health Organizations: Petition the WHO to assess nicotine’s risks.
– Public Awareness: Get educated on nicotine’s dangers, especially for youth.
Together, we can all work towards a nicotine-free generation by 2023.
Do you have questions for David? Then don’t hesitate to write him at david.chalom.a@gmail.com