Against Cancer Valencia and universities join forces to achieve the first smoke-free generation by 2030

The Spanish Association Against Cancer Valencia, the UV, and the UPV are committed to supporting the initiative to achieve the first smoke-free generation by 2030. Today, on the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day, student representatives have called on Valencian university students to recognise and exercise their right to live in a healthy environment where smoking and vaping are not permitted.

‘Today, we give voice to young people to lead the No Tobacco Movement. We must come together so that they can breathe in smoke-free environments, protect their right to health and contribute to denormalise tobacco use and new forms of smoking. The support of universities and other education centres is essential to prevent the perpetuation of habits that are linked to up to 30% of cancer cases,’ explains President of Against Cancer Valencia Tomás Trenor.

Tobacco use is the world’s leading cause of preventable death. It is linked to up to 16 types of cancer and is responsible for 84% of cases of larynx cancer and between 80 and 90% of cases of lung cancer, the deadliest cancer in the ValencianCommunity. In addition, vapes have also been shown to increase asthma, cause or worsen lung diseases such as EVALI, and even predispose users to cancer.

One in two young Valencian has vaped

Vapes continue to gain ground among young people. According to the latest survey by the Ministry of Health, 52.9% of Valencians aged between 14 and 18 have vaped in 2023, almost six points more than in 2022, with a 33.1% of Valencians who have smoked. This is a situation that is reflected in younger age groups: one in four young people aged 12 to 13 have tried electronic cigarettes, compared to only 9% who have tried smoking.

‘There is a widespread perception that vapes are completely harmless, which they are not, and because of this perception they gain popularity. We must warn of the consequences of the most important factor that could prevent us from achieving a smoke-free generation by 2030’, explained the president.

New cancer-flavoured vape

To raise awareness among young people, the association launched the ‘Cancer-flavoured vape’ awareness campaign and distributed fake vapes that warn of the toxic ingredients associated to their use on campuses of the Universitat de València and the Universitat Politècnica de València.

‘The tobacco industry sells vapes as a healthy alternative to tobacco, but the fact that they contain fewer toxic ingredients does not mean that they are less harmful. Vapes may contain nicotine, flavouring agents, and cancer-causing toxins that, when inhaled, get trapped in the lungs and cause harmful health effects. We are taking to the streets to debunk the false myths surrounding these devices,’ concludes Tomás Trenor.