WHO Tobacco Report declared
The World Health Organization (WHO) tobacco trends report, which was released today, contains the most recent estimates of the number of adult tobacco users worldwide: 1.25 billion. Global tobacco consumption rates are continuing to drop, according to trends in 2022. Nearly 1 in 5 persons globally use tobacco, up from 1 in 3 in 2000.
According to the report, 150 nations are effectively lowering tobacco consumption. Following the implementation of MPOWER tobacco control measures, both Brazil and the Netherlands have shown success. Brazil has accomplished a relative reduction of 35% since 2010, while the Netherlands is almost at the 30% objective.
With a tobacco use rate of 26.5%, the WHO Southeast Asian Region now leads the world, closely followed by the European Region at 25.3%. According to the research, with a prevalence of just over 23%, the WHO European Region is expected to have the highest rates worldwide by 2030. The WHO’s European area has more than twice the world average for female tobacco use, and its rate of decline is far slower than it is in any other region.
How does tobacco use affect health and life?
Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for over 20 distinct types or subtypes of cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, and several other crippling medical issues. Nicotine is also extremely addictive. Over 8 million individuals die from tobacco usage each year.
The majority of tobacco-related fatalities take place in low- and middle-income nations, which are frequently the focus of intense marketing and corporate influence.
Nonsmokers can also suffer from tobacco use. Exposure to secondhand smoking has also been linked to negative health consequences, including the deaths of 1.2 million people every year. Every year, 65,000 children pass away from diseases linked to secondhand smoking, and nearly half of all youngsters breathe air contaminated by tobacco smoke. Pregnancy-related smoking has been linked to several chronic health issues in the offspring.
By diverting money away from necessities like food and shelter, tobacco use leads households toward greater debt. Because tobacco is so addicting, it is tough to stop this spending behavior. Additionally, it results in the early demise and incapacity of working-age individuals within homes, which lowers household income and raises healthcare expenses.
WHO Recommendations
Since there is still more work to be done, WHO advises nations to step up their tobacco control efforts. Global attempts to shield health policy from growing tobacco industry influence have gotten worse, according to “The Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2023,” released by STOP and the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control.
WHO recommends nations step up their tobacco reduction initiatives since there is still more work to be done. The Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control and STOP released “The Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index 2023,” which demonstrates how attempts to shield health policy from growing tobacco industry influence have gotten worse globally.
Most nations’ national polls regularly reveal that youngsters between the ages of 13 and 15 use tobacco and nicotine products. This year’s World No Tobacco Day will be focused on shielding youngsters from tobacco industry influence by the WHO to safeguard the next generation and guarantee that tobacco use continues to drop.
The best ways to reduce back on tobacco consumption are widely recognized. Countries that are dedicated to preventing tobacco use among their citizens have lower prevalence rates of tobacco use and, as a result, healthier populations – WHO
