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7 in 10 people protected by at least one tobacco control measure

The World Health Organization (WHO) report highlights that at least one best practice policy is now protecting 5.6 billion people

By Ground Report 31 Jul 2023

New Update

7 in 10 people protected by at least one tobacco control measure

The World Health Organization (WHO) report highlights that at least one best practice policy is now protecting 5.6 billion people - 71% of the world's population - to help save lives from deadly tobacco, which is five times more than in 2007.

In the last 15 years since WHO’s MPOWER tobacco control measures were introduced globally, the smoking rates have fallen, and without this decline, the world would have an estimated 300 million more smokers today.

Progress in global tobacco control

Bloomberg Philanthropies supports this WHO Report on the global tobacco epidemic, which focuses on protecting the public from second-hand smoke and highlights that almost 40% of countries now have completely smoke-free indoor public places.

The report rates the country's progress in tobacco control and reveals that two more countries, Mauritius and the Netherlands, have achieved a best-practice level in all MPOWER measures, a feat that only Brazil and Türkiye had accomplished until now.

“We congratulate Mauritius on becoming the first country in Africa and the Netherlands on becoming the first in the European Union to implement the full package of WHO tobacco control policies at the highest level,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

"These data show that more and more people are being protected from the harms of tobacco by WHO’s evidence-based best-practice policies. WHO stands ready to support all countries to follow their example and protect their people from this deadly scourge."

“With a strong political commitment, we have made great progress in tobacco control policies in Mauritius. Our country has adopted the MPOWER strategy and is moving resolutely towards a smoke-free country.” stated the Hon Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister, Republic of Mauritius.

Tobacco-free public areas

Smoke-free public spaces are just one policy in the MPOWER package of effective tobacco control measures to help countries implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and curb the tobacco epidemic.

Smoke-free environments help people breathe clean air, protect the public from deadly secondhand smoke, motivate people to quit smoking, denormalize smoking, and help prevent youth from starting to smoke or use e-cigarettes.

Michael R. Bloomberg, global ambassador for the WHO for noncommunicable diseases and Injuries and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropy, said, "The tobacco industry's relentless marketing campaigns are a major contributing factor to tobacco remaining the world's leading preventable cause of death, despite a decline in smoking rates. Our work is making a big difference, but there is still much to be done. By assisting more countries in implementing smart policies that are supported by public opinion and science, we can enhance public health and save millions more lives."

Eight countries are just one MPOWER policy away from joining the leaders in tobacco control: Ethiopia, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Madagascar, Mexico, New Zealand and Spain.

Tobacco epidemic persists, urgent action required

All of the WHO MPOWER measures do not protect 44 countries, and comprehensive smoking bans in healthcare facilities are not in place in 53 countries. Meanwhile, only about half of the countries have private smoke-free workplaces and restaurants.

“WHO urges all countries to implement all MPOWER measures at the best practice level to combat the tobacco epidemic, which kills 8.7 million people worldwide, and to roll back the tobacco and nicotine, who lobby against these public health measures”, said Dr. Ruediger Krech, WHO Director of Health Promotion.

About 1.3 million people die from secondhand smoke each year. All of these deaths are entirely preventable. People exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke are at risk of dying from heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

This report demonstrates that all countries, regardless of income levels, can reduce demand for deadly tobacco, achieve significant public health gains, and save economies billions of dollars in productivity and health care costs.