A tobacco-free generation: the hope of a fall in lung cancer mortality

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest scourges in the world. But a tobacco-free generation could well change the situation, according to promising projections.

Banning tobacco for young people: a bet for life

If the sale of tobacco was banned to young people born between 2006 and 2010, around 1.2 million deaths from lung cancer could be avoided by 2095, according to a study by IARC, the cancer agency of the WHO. Conversely, without this measure, 2.95 million deaths could occur in this generation, which includes more than 650 million people.

These figures reveal enormous potential: 45.8% of preventable deaths concern men, compared to 30.9% for women. A difference linked to the higher prevalence of smoking among men. But according to researchers, in certain regions, such as Western Europe or North America, it is women who would benefit the most from this tobacco-free generation.

A global fight against smoking

Several countries, such as New Zealand and parts of the United States and Australia, have already launched initiatives to ban the sale of cigarettes to younger generations. In New Zealand, the law passed in 2022 prohibited sales to people born after 2008, but these measures were abandoned in 2023 with the arrival of a new government.

On the other hand, in England, the struggle continues. Labor Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to take over Conservative Rishi Sunak’s plan to ensure that today’s under-15s will never be able to buy cigarettes legally.

A generation without tobacco, but not without effort

However, researchers point out that a tobacco-free generation policy alone will not be enough to put an end to smoking. Other actions, such as increased taxes, smoke-free places and cessation support, remain essential to continue reducing the number of smokers and saving lives.