Gulf Health Council warns young people over vaping and nicotine pouches

The Gulf Health Council (GCH) has launched an awareness campaign on non-traditional smoking products under the slogan "Today_Before_Roller", during the period from 4 to 31 October 2026, with the aim of empowering youth in the GCC countries to reject non-traditional smoking products, by raising awareness of their risks, enhancing skills to cope with peer pressure, and supporting healthy behaviors that support healthy physical and psychological development.

The slogan of the campaign reflects the importance of taking the initiative to make a health decision before the experience turns into a habit that may be difficult to leave, as the day symbolizes awareness, choice and control of the decision, while the reel embodies justification and postponement and the risks that may result from them, and the slogan carries a call to young people to refuse to try tobacco and nicotine products or start quitting them, without waiting for their health, psychological and social effects to appear, in order to protect their health and future.

The campaign mainly targets youth in the GCC between the ages of 15 and 24, while secondary target groups include parents, influential content creators in the youth category, schools and educational authorities, and health and youth authorities in the Gulf countries, in order to enhance the integration of roles in supporting healthy choices and providing a supportive environment for youth.

The campaign comes within the framework of the Gulf Health Council's efforts to promote public health in the GCC countries, based on the importance of the youth stage in forming identity, building habits and making decisions that affect health.

The campaign focuses on identifying the dangers of non-traditional smoking products, including but not limited to vape e-cigarettes, nicotine bags and heated tobacco, and correcting the notions that some of them are promoted as healthy or safe alternatives for young people, and clarifying that the product is free of smoke or tobacco leaves does not mean that it is free of risks, and that nicotine is a highly dependent substance and exposure to it during the developmental stage may affect brain functions related to attention, learning, and impulse control.

The campaign also addresses the belief that the use of non-traditional smoking products containing nicotine or tobacco helps to cope with stress, and explains that the temporary feeling of relief in those who depend on it may be associated with the reduction of withdrawal symptoms that appear as its level decreases in the body, which leads to repeated use and continued dependence on it, and in return offers practical ways to deal with stress, such as physical activity, calm breathing, practicing hobbies, talking to a trusted person, and seeking support when needed.

The campaign pays special attention to developing decision-making skills and dealing with peer pressure by encouraging young people to pause to think before responding, to express disapproval clearly and confidently, to suggest alternative activities, and to stay out of the situation when the urgency continues. It also promotes media awareness, the ability to distinguish between reliable health information and promotional content, and an understanding of marketing tactics that may make the experience of these products more appealing.

Tobacco kills more than 7 million people annually and is used by about 37 million children between the ages of 13 and 15, according to a 2024 World Health Organization report. At the Gulf level, a study published in 2024 that included five countries showed that more than 50% of adolescents who tried to buy cigarettes did not reject their attempts, confirming the importance of early prevention and protection of young people from the dangers of non-traditional smoking products.

The campaign includes an interactive behavioral test with two tracks, each with ten questions, one dedicated to young people to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to non-traditional smoking products, and the other for professionals and parents to assess knowledge and ability to communicate with youth and deal with these risks. The test provides awareness recommendations that match the participants' answers to help them identify practical steps to promote healthy behavior.

The campaign includes awareness guides, educational and motivational publications, a keynote video and short videos, which provide simplified messages related to daily situations. The community environment and preventive policies, such as banning smoking in public places and tobacco taxes, are also highlighting the role of supporting healthy choices and protecting community members.

Through the "Today_Before_Tomorrow" campaign, the Gulf Health Council emphasizes that promoting the health of young people begins with understanding their needs, enabling them to make informed decisions, and providing an environment that listens to and supports them, in a way that transforms health knowledge into sustainable daily practices that reflect positively on their health, future and the quality of life of the Gulf community.

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