Young voices. Shared demands. A tobacco-free future.
We are a global movement of youth organizations and coalitions working to protect present and future generations from tobacco industry harms and interference.
A global youth movement for bold
tobacco control
What is Global Youth Voices?
The Global Youth Voices (GYV) is a movement that represents youth coalitions and organizations from across the globe that seek to make the tobacco industry pay for the harms caused to the planet and its people, not only for those in this generation but also future generations. GYV’s previous statements and initiatives have been recognized by the WHO and at the WHO FCTC Conference of the Parties. The Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC) convenes and provides technical assistance to GYV.
GYV connects experiences from countries and regions with global action. Together, participating youth organizations and coalitions develop shared policy positions, coordinate advocacy, and bring youth demands into national and international policy processes, advancing stronger tobacco control, protecting policymaking from tobacco industry interference, and holding the industry accountable for harms to people and the planet.
Why does GYV matter?
Tobacco companies continue to recruit new customers and drive addiction by deliberately targeting young people through tobacco and nicotine products, flavors, appealing designs, digital marketing, sponsorship, influencers, and narratives that make addiction appear modern, innovative, or harmless.
At the same time, the tobacco industry seeks to influence the laws and institutions meant to protect public health.
GYV challenges these practices and demands stronger laws, protected policymaking, and accountability measures that safeguard present and future generations.
Our Declaration
A youth-led framework for protecting present and future generations.
The GYV Declaration turns shared concerns into common policy demands: prevent addiction, protect policymaking from tobacco industry interference, hold the tobacco industry accountable, and safeguard the environment that present and future generations will inherit.
Ban harmful and novel tobacco and nicotine products
Ban new recreational addictive tobacco and nicotine products, protect existing bans, and reject industry attempts to present these products as public health solutions.
Eliminate product appeal
Ban flavors, advertising, and product features that attract young people. Eliminate cigarette filters regardless of material, including those promoted as eco-friendly.
Hold the tobacco industry financially and legally accountable
Make the tobacco industry pay for past, present, and future harms to people and the planet through liability, cost recovery, compensation, and effective sanctions.
Protect the environment from tobacco industry harm
Eliminate cigarette filters and disposable vapes, address toxic plastics and electronic waste, and make the tobacco industry pay for environmental harm without granting it environmental stewardship.
Protect policymaking from tobacco industry interference
Protect public health decisions from tobacco industry influence by applying WHO FCTC Article 5.3 and rejecting industry partnerships, funding, and legitimacy-seeking activities.
One movement. Global reach.
Youth organizations and coalitions connecting national and regional experience with global advocacy.
- Participating youth organizations and coalitions
- 70+
- Countries covered by the participating youth organizations and coalitions
- 135+
Latest Stories & Resources
Explore recent advocacy stories, campaign updates, policy resources, and practical materials from across the movement.
International Youth Day 2026 Open Letter to Governments
Unmasking the Appeal: Youth Counter Addiction and Demand Accountability
On 27 May 2026, Global Youth Voices (GYV) Movement, together with its participating organizations, including the International Youth Tobacco Control (IYTC), the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF), the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), Youth in Action (Y-ACT), Alianza Juvenil, A Non Smoking Generation, and Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health & Wellbeing, convened a webinar for World No Tobacco Day 2026 entitled:
Youth Advocates in Tanzania Strengthen Tobacco Control Advocacy Through Training on Industry Interference and AI
Youth Action Is Key to Unmasking Tobacco Industry Appeal
On May 15, I spoke as a panelist at the World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Webinar marking World No Tobacco Day 2026. This year’s theme, “Unmasking the appeal: countering nicotine and tobacco addiction,” spoke directly to what young people across our region are facing.