According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) tobacco trends report released today, there are currently 1.25 billion adult tobacco users globally. However, the report also highlights a positive trend, with a continued decline in tobacco use rates worldwide.
In 2022, approximately 1 in 5 adults globally consumes tobacco, a significant improvement from 1 in 3 adults in 2000. The report indicates that 150 countries have successfully reduced tobacco use, attributing this success to the implementation of MPOWER tobacco control measures. Notably, Brazil achieved a 35% relative reduction since 2010, and the Netherlands is on the verge of reaching a 30% reduction.
Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of WHO Department of Health Promotion, emphasized the progress made in tobacco control but warned against complacency. He expressed concern about the tobacco industry's tactics to pursue profits at the expense of lives, manipulating health policies whenever governments believe they have won the fight against tobacco.
The WHO urges countries to maintain and strengthen tobacco control policies, emphasizing the need to resist interference from the tobacco industry. The WHO South-East Asian Region currently has the highest percentage of tobacco users at 26.5%, with the European Region close behind at 25.3%. The report projects that by 2030, the WHO European Region will have the highest global rates at just over 23%.
While global tobacco use is expected to see a 25% relative reduction by 2025, missing the voluntary 30% reduction goal from the 2010 baseline, only 56 countries are projected to achieve this goal. Some countries have experienced little change since 2010, and six countries, including Congo, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Oman, and the Republic of Moldova, are still witnessing a rise in tobacco use.
The report also highlights concerns about the Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2023, indicating a deterioration in efforts to protect health policies from increased tobacco industry interference worldwide. Surveys consistently show that children aged 13–15 years in most countries are using tobacco and nicotine products.
To address these challenges, WHO will dedicate this year's World No Tobacco Day to Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference. Additionally, the 10th Session of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Conference of Parties in Panama next month will address industry attempts to influence global health policies. WHO remains committed to supporting countries in defending evidence-based tobacco control measures against industry interference, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.
