Increasing use of flavoured tobacco products amongst youth.

Introduction:
This text provides an overview of the increasing use of flavored tobacco products (FTP) among youth, the role of flavors in initiation and continued use, and the potential health implications. The authors also discuss the current regulatory landscape and the need for stronger policies to control the use of FTP.

Key Points:

* adolescence and early adulthood are critical periods for tobacco initiation, and anti-smoking campaigns have been successful in reducing the social acceptability of smoking.
* however, newer nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, hookah, and flavored smokeless tobacco, are becoming increasingly popular among youth.
* Flavors play a key role in youth initiation of tobacco use, as they increase the palatability and reduce the harshness of tobacco products.
* The prevalence of FTP use is much higher in young adults compared to non-flavored tobacco products.
* The long-term health effects of FTP are relatively unknown, but studies have shown that the flavoring used in e-cigarettes and e-liquids have been linked to serious health problems.
* The use of menthol cigarettes and other FTPs has increased among youth in response to anti-smoking campaigns and regulations.
* The authors recommend a ban on all characterizing flavors in tobacco products to reduce the palatability and addictiveness of tobacco products, and to strengthen FCTC and non-FCTC policy measures for effective control over FTP.

Main Message:
The text highlights the urgent need for stronger regulations and policies to control the use of FTP among youth. The authors argue that the availability of a variety of additives and flavors, exposure to tobacco product marketing, curiosity, susceptibility, and misperception about their reduced harm are the prime factors that promote tobacco product use, especially among youth. They recommend a ban on all characterizing flavors in tobacco products to reduce the palatability and addictiveness of tobacco products, and to strengthen FCTC and non-FCTC policy measures for effective control over FTP. The current COVID-19 pandemic is the right time to focus on these efforts as people should now be more receptive to tobacco control measures.

Gupta aK, Mehrotra R. Increasing use of flavoured tobacco products amongst youth. The Indian journal of tuberculosis. 2021;68S:S105-S107. doi:10.1016/j.ijtb.2021.07.020