Global Decline in Tobacco use: WHO report highlights progress and challenges

The latest World Health Organisation (WHO) tobacco trends report revealing a global decline in tobacco use. With 1.25 billion adult tobacco users worldwide, the report shows a continued reduction in tobacco consumption rates since 2000. Successful cases include Brazil and the Netherlands, achieving a 35% and 30% relative reduction, respectively, through MPOWER tobacco control measures. Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of WHO Department of Health Promotion, warns against complacency, emphasizing the tobacco industry’s relentless pursuit of profits. The report urges countries to implement and strengthen tobacco control policies, emphasizing the ongoing battle against tobacco industry interference.

In the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) tobacco trends report, it is estimated that there are currently 1.25 billion adult tobacco users globally. This report, released today, indicates a continued decline in tobacco use rates worldwide, with approximately 1 in 5 adults using tobacco compared to 1 in 3 in the year 2000.

The report highlights that 150 countries are making significant strides in reducing tobacco use. Notable success stories include Brazil and the Netherlands, where the implementation of MPOWER tobacco control measures has led to a relative reduction of 35% since 2010 in Brazil and the Netherlands nearing a 30% target.

Despite these positive trends, Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of the WHO Department of Health Promotion, warns against complacency. He expresses astonishment at the tobacco industry’s relentless pursuit of profits, often at the expense of countless lives. Dr. Krech notes that as soon as a government believes they have won the battle against tobacco, the industry seizes the opportunity to manipulate health policies and promote their harmful products.

The WHO urges countries to stay vigilant and continue implementing effective tobacco control policies. Additionally, the report emphasizes the need to combat interference from the tobacco industry, stressing that progress made in recent years should not lead to a sense of complacency. The fight against tobacco use remains ongoing, and the global community must work together to protect public health and reduce the impact of tobacco-related diseases.

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