It is, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest report on tobacco use, published Monday, which analyzes smoking trends from 2010 to 2024 and concludes that the epidemic is far from over.
Tobacco use has fallen from 26.2 percent in 2010 to 19.5 percent last year – and the UN Health Agency predicts that the number will continue to fall.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recognized the progress made, but issued a warning about new products from the industry designed to keep consumers connected.
“Millions of people stop or do not take up tobacco use thanks to tobacco control efforts from countries around the world,” he said.
“In response to this strong progress, The tobacco industry is fighting back with new nicotine products that are aggressively aimed at young people. Governments must act faster and stronger in the implementation of proven tobacco control policies. “
Young and e-cigarettes
The report includes the first global estimate of e-cigarette use for adults and adolescents.
The figures are alarming: More than 100 million people around the world are now vaping, including 86 million adults and at least 15 million young people aged 13-15.
Distribution of e-cigarette use among young people is on average nine times for adultsby country. Who encourages governments to close the logging holes that allow the industry to target the next generation and regulate e-cigarettes and other nicotine products.
“E-cigarettes burn a new wave of nicotine addiction“Said Etienne Krug, director of the WHO’s Department of Social Determinants of Health.” They are marketed as damage reduction, but in fact hook children in nicotine in the past and risk undermining decades of progress. “
In total, 10 percent of young people around the world reported by one or more types of tobacco products.
Trends vary between gender, regions
In Southeast Asia, once the world’s largest regional hotspot, tobacco farming among men was almost halved – from 70 percent in 2000 to 37 percent last year. This region alone accounted for over half of the global decline.
By 2024, the Europeans accounted for the largest number of smokers, followed by the Western Pacific, while the lowest spread of tobacco use was in Africa.
Projections through 2030 predict a decrease in tobacco use worldwide, but governments must do their part to step up tobacco control, as adviser.
“Almost 20 percent of adults still use tobacco and nicotine products. We can’t give up now“Said Jeremy Farrar, assisting Director -General of Health Promotion.
