On Wednesday June 5, 2024, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) hosted a pivotal discussion-based event, “Ignite Change: Tobacco-Control Efforts in the Caribbean”, focusing on the impact of new and emerging tobacco products on children and youth and tobacco control advocacy efforts. This event gathered key stakeholders across various sectors and was held in recognition of World No Tobacco Day 2024, which highlighted the need to protect young people from tobacco industry interference.
Participants explored the increasing use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) among Caribbean youth, the aggressive marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry, and ways to engage youth as advocates in tobacco control efforts.
Discussion Objectives
The objectives of the session were to:
- Discuss concerns with the new and emerging tobacco products in the Caribbean, and the impact on children and youth
- Explore strategies for Caribbean child and youth engagement in tobacco control advocacy
- Highlight and amplify tobacco control advocacy efforts in the Caribbean
- Introduce and expand the newly formed network of key stakeholders interested in sharing and collaborating on tobacco control related efforts in the Caribbean.