Experts at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin (23–25 June) argued that artificial intelligence can strengthen enforcement and monitoring to stop tobacco companies targeting young people online. They stressed that social media and new nicotine products, often sold in bright packaging with candy-like flavours, are drawing youth into addiction, and that low- and middle-income countries face the heaviest public‑health burden.
Delegates described concrete AI applications. In Indonesia, the Free Net from Tobacco coalition uses AI to detect YouTube videos that promote cigarettes; reporting these videos has led to many accounts being closed. Vital Strategies’ Canary service operates in Mexico, India and Indonesia, exposing tobacco and alcohol marketing in digital spaces and providing real‑time data and analysis for policymakers. Canary has reached more than 4 million people in India, where community teams produce anti‑tobacco content using the same digital formats as manufacturers. AI can detect logos, slogans and specific influencers and can adapt to local platforms such as TikTok and WeChat.
Researchers also presented health applications: an AI-driven personalised mobile health intervention from Fudan University was tested in a randomised trial with 8,000 smokers; the intervention group had an 18% quit rate compared with 7% in the control group. Academic modelling from IECS in Argentina found that full implementation of four proven measures could avert up to 234,000 deaths and save as much as US$2 billion over the next decade, noting that in 2023 smoking caused over 41,000 deaths and nearly US$4.3 billion in costs in the five studied countries.
- Tax increases
- Plain packaging
- Advertising bans
- Smoke-free environments
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches must be regulated to avoid reversing public health gains. Experts said AI can help enforce policies and track progress, especially in lower‑income settings where services are limited.
Difficult words
- enforcement — official action to make laws or rules followed
- monitoring — continuous observation to check progress or problems
- addiction — strong physical or mental need for a substance
- coalition — group of organisations working together for a purpose
- influencer — person who affects others' opinions onlineinfluencers
- personalised — designed to suit an individual's needs or situation
- plain packaging — standardised product covers without logos or designs
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could AI tools help governments in low- and middle-income countries enforce tobacco regulations?
- What risks do bright packaging and candy-like flavours pose for young people, and how should policy respond?
- Should e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches be regulated the same way as cigarettes? Why or why not?
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