At the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin (23–25 June), experts said AI can help stop tobacco companies from targeting young people online. They warned that social media and new nicotine products draw youth into addiction, and that poorer countries face the heaviest burden.
Speakers said platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube let indirect marketing slip through policy gaps. In Indonesia, the Free Net from Tobacco coalition uses AI to find promotional videos on YouTube and report them, which has closed many accounts.
Vital Strategies runs the Canary monitoring service in Mexico, India and Indonesia to expose digital marketing and give data to policymakers. Other projects use AI to support quitting, and WHO warned that e-cigarettes and similar products need regulation.
Difficult words
- target — to aim advertising at a person or grouptargeting
- addiction — a strong need to keep using a substance
- platform — a website or app where people share contentplatforms
- indirect — not direct; happening through another person or thing
- coalition — a group of people or organizations working together
- regulation — a rule made by government to control products
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen tobacco promotions on social media? What did you see?
- Do you think using AI to find and report online promotions is a good idea? Why?
- Should e-cigarettes be regulated in your country? Why or why not?
Related articles
China starts campaign to remove 'negative' online content
On September 22 China's Cyberspace Administration began a two-month campaign to remove online posts it calls antagonistic or negative. Platforms removed posts, banned influencers and targeted fan groups, trolls and so-called low-consumption vloggers.
Africa uses AI to strengthen health systems and self-reliance
At the CPHIA conference in Durban, Africa CDC said AI and digital tools can help protect 1.4 billion people, improve surveillance and support primary health care. Data governance, infrastructure and domestic financing are key concerns.
AI coach helps medical students learn suturing
Researchers at Johns Hopkins developed an explainable AI tool that gives immediate text feedback to medical students practicing suturing. A small randomized study found faster learning for students with prior experience; beginners showed less benefit.
Latin America and Caribbean agree a plan for ethical AI
More than 20 countries met in the Dominican Republic on 25–26 June and approved the Santo Domingo Declaration on AI ethics. UNESCO and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean supported a regional roadmap with five strategic pillars.