Cyprus’ cancer‑prevention organisation PASYKAF is calling for a renewed national strategy on tobacco control, warning that the rise of nicotine products targeting young people makes prevention more urgent than ever.
Marking May as the international month dedicated to tobacco‑related issues, the organisation said its 40 years of work in cancer prevention show the need for stronger policies to limit exposure to harmful products, including e‑cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
The World Health Organization has highlighted since 2025 the tactics used by the tobacco and nicotine industry to attract children and teenagers, noting that newer products are designed and marketed to appear appealing to younger users. The WHO has urged governments to adopt tougher measures to reduce their availability and attractiveness.
Georgia Orphanou, PASYKAF’s director of prevention and social marketing, said sustainable public‑health impact requires coordinated action across policy, communities and individual behaviour. She said prevention depends not only on information but also on consistency and collective effort.
According to the EU’s Special Eurobarometer 539 survey, published in 2024, the bloc has made little progress in reducing tobacco use in recent years. Use of new nicotine products continues to rise, and dual use alongside conventional cigarettes remains common. Exposure to second‑hand smoke also remains widespread in many public and social spaces.
PASYKAF said these trends are reflected in Cyprus, where stronger prevention measures and better enforcement of existing legislation are still needed.