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Global Tobacco Use Declines, Industry Efforts Thwarted

Triumph Over Tobacco: Global Use Declines Despite Industry Efforts

In a significant public health victory, global tobacco use is on the decline, according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report, despite ongoing efforts by the tobacco industry to undermine this progress.  

The Current Landscape of Tobacco Use

A Worldwide Decrease The WHO tobacco trends report reveals a notable decline in tobacco use rates globally. In 2022, about 1 in 5 adults worldwide were consuming tobacco, a significant reduction from 1 in 3 in 2000. This trend indicates a positive shift in global health behaviors and attitudes towards tobacco.   Success Stories The report highlights the success of 150 countries in reducing tobacco use. Notable examples include Brazil and the Netherlands, where the implementation of MPOWER tobacco control measures has led to substantial reductions in tobacco use. Brazil achieved a 35% relative reduction since 2010, while the Netherlands is nearing a 30% target.  

The Role of the Tobacco Industry

Persistent Interference Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of WHO's Department of Health Promotion, expresses concern over the tobacco industry's tactics. Despite the progress, the industry continues to find ways to manipulate health policies and market its products, underlining the need for constant vigilance and robust tobacco control measures.   WHO's Call to Action WHO urges countries to continue implementing and enforcing tobacco control policies, emphasizing the importance of combating tobacco industry interference. This global effort is crucial to sustain and accelerate the decline in tobacco use.  

Regional Differences and Challenges

High Prevalence in Certain Regions The WHO South-East Asian Region currently has the highest percentage of tobacco users at 26.5%, closely followed by the European Region at 25.3%. The European Region is projected to have the highest rates globally by 2030, with a prevalence of just over 23%. The report also sheds light on gender disparities in tobacco use. In WHO’s European region, tobacco use rates among women are more than double the global average and are reducing much slower than in other regions.  

The Road Ahead

Missing the Global Goal While the numbers have steadily decreased, the world is set to miss the voluntary global goal of a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2025, based on the 2010 baseline. Only 56 countries will achieve this target, down from the last report. WHO calls for accelerated efforts in tobacco control, highlighting that there is still significant work to be done. The "Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2023" indicates a deterioration in efforts to protect health policy from tobacco industry interference.   Protecting Future Generations Country surveys reveal that children aged 13–15 years in most countries are using tobacco and nicotine products. To counter this, WHO dedicates this year’s World No Tobacco Day to protecting children from tobacco industry interference.  

Upcoming WHO Framework Convention

The 10th Session of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Conference of Parties, set to take place in Panama, will focus on combating tobacco industry attempts to influence global health policies. Strengthening the WHO FCTC is vital for global health and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.   Sources: THX News & World Health Organization. Read the full article