Tobacco Use Falls To 1 In 5 Adults Globally: Why WHO Says 'There Is No Time For Complacency'

Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its latest tobacco trends report, revealing that there are currently 1.25 billion adult tobacco users globally. 

However, the trends in 2022 indicate a positive shift, showcasing a continued decline in tobacco use rates worldwide. The report emphasizes that approximately 1 in 5 adults globally now consume tobacco, compared to 1 in 3 in 2000.

In 150 countries, reductions in tobacco use are noted, with Brazil and the Netherlands standing out for their achievements following the implementation of MPOWER tobacco control measures. 

Brazil has seen a 35% relative reduction since 2010, while the Netherlands is on the brink of reaching its 30% reduction target.

Growing concerns about the rising popularity of vaping among non-smokers and the youth are prompting governments worldwide to consider regulations on disposable vape sales.

Despite a recent report highlighting vaping as a potential alternative to traditional smoking endorsed by health organizations, the industry now faces uncertainty as regulatory scrutiny looms, casting doubt on its future.

“Good progress has been made in tobacco control in recent years, but there is no time for complacency. I’m astounded at the depths the tobacco industry will go to pursue profits at the expense of countless lives. We see that the minute a government thinks they have won the fight against tobacco, the tobacco industry seizes the opportunity to manipulate health policies and sell their deadly products,” says Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of the WHO Department of Health Promotion.

Presently, the WHO Southeast Asian Region boasts the highest tobacco use percentage at 26.5%, closely followed by the European Region at 25.3%.

The report projects that by 2030, the WHO European Region will have the highest global rates, slightly exceeding 23%.

Despite a steady decrease over the years, the world is expected to fall short of the 30% reduction goal by 2025. 

Only 56 countries globally are projected to achieve this goal, down by four since the last report in 2021. 

Some countries have witnessed little change in tobacco use since 2010, and six countries, including Congo, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Oman, and the Republic of Moldova, are experiencing rising tobacco use.

Major tobacco companies like Philip Morris International Inc PM and British American Tobacco Industries BTI are uncertain about the regulatory treatment of tobacco alternatives as they explore new nicotine products. The companies are navigating the possibility of these alternatives being subjected to regulations similar to traditional cigarettes.

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