The latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals a continuing decline in tobacco consumption globally, with one in five individuals aged 16 and above using tobacco, down from one in three in the year 2000. The tobacco industry, however, employs strategic tactics to maintain this figure as high as possible, according to the WHO.
WHO Director Urges Vigilance Amidst Industry Tactics
Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at the WHO, emphasizes the progress made in tobacco control in recent years but warns against complacency. He expresses astonishment at the industry’s relentless pursuit of profits at the expense of countless lives. Governments, upon perceiving success in the battle against tobacco, often face industry manipulation of health policies to promote their lethal products.
Global Success Stories – Brazil and the Netherlands
Despite challenges, the majority of countries worldwide (150 out of 165 with reliable data) are making strides in the fight against tobacco. The report highlights the success of two countries, Brazil and the Netherlands, which achieved reductions of 35% and 30%, respectively, since 2010.
They implemented the MPOWER strategy advocated by the WHO, encompassing monitoring tobacco use, protecting the population from smoke, providing cessation support, warning about dangers, increasing taxes, and enforcing bans on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
Regional Variances
Regionally, Southeast Asia maintains the highest tobacco prevalence at 26.5%, although it has also achieved the most significant reduction since 2000, when over half the population smoked. Europe follows closely behind at 25.3%, slightly above Spain’s 24.9%, with a slower decline that is projected to make it the world’s most tobacco-prone region by 2030, still at 23.1%. In contrast, Africa, with only 9.5% of its population currently smoking, and the Americas, with 16.6%, demonstrate lower prevalence.
Impact on Global Numbers
The decline in tobacco use spans both genders and all age groups. However, starting from disparate points, 34.4% of men smoke compared to 7.4% of women. In numerical terms, this translates to 1.024 billion male smokers and 224 million female smokers.
Industry Interference and Urgent Calls to Action
The WHO urges countries to accelerate progress through the aforementioned policies and combat industry interference. A comprehensive report by the organization STOP and the Global Center for Good Tobacco Control Policy published last year highlighted the industry’s escalating interference in public health policies.
In the absence of preventive measures, the industry employs tactics proven successful in the past, including corporate social responsibility contributions to access high-ranking officials, blocking restrictions, and obtaining lower taxes for new tobacco products framed as less harmful and smoke-free.
Vaping and E-cigarettes
The report emphasizes a weak point in reducing the number of smokers: the use of vaping devices and e-cigarettes. The lack of globally homogeneous data prevents the report from estimating the prevalence of these new smoking forms. However, surveys in specific countries, such as the European 2020 survey, indicate a growing trend among teenagers in using these devices, potentially serving as a gateway to smoking rather than a smoking cessation tool, as promoted by the industry.
Dormant Tobacco Control Plan
Spain aligns with this trend, prompting the Ministry of Health to revive a tobacco control plan that has been dormant for two years. The plan includes new regulations for smoking devices to align them with conventional tobacco. Authorities are also considering expanding smoke-free spaces, potentially including outdoor terraces, and raising taxes, a proven effective measure to reduce consumption.
Original source: This information was Initially covered by elpais.com and has been translated for our readers.
