In a puff of fresh air for global public health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has blown the whistle on declining tobacco use rates worldwide in 2022.
Dr. Rüdiger Krech, the director of Health Promotion at the WHO, unveiled these statistics at the Global Tobacco Report presentation in Geneva on Tuesday, offering a glimpse into a world where one in five adults is opting out of the tobacco haze, compared to one in three back in 2000.
Global Victory?
“We have 1.25 billion people still smoking. That is the last figure we have from the Global Trends Report that we’re releasing today,” Dr. Krech announced.
“But that also means that we have 19 million fewer smokers than we had two years ago. That is the first time that we see such a decline.”
While the world cheers at this substantial drop in tobacco consumption, there’s no room for complacency.
The fastest declines are happening in lower-middle-income countries, painting a picture of progress, but pockets of concern linger, especially in the European region, where, as Dr. Krech puts it, “women are on the increase in some parts, in some countries, or at very high levels still of tobacco users.”
According to the WHO, regional dynamics play a crucial role in this global smoke signal.
The WHO South-East Asian region, once a stronghold for tobacco prevalence, is now witnessing a swift downturn.
The African Region boasts the lowest tobacco use prevalence, dropping from 18% in 2000 to under 10% in 2022.
However, it’s not all sunshine and fresh air. The WHO urges vigilance, particularly in the European region, where the battle against tobacco use, especially among women, rages on.
E-cigarette, an epidemic for youths
The report rings alarm bells over the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes among the younger generation. Approximately 37 million adolescents aged 13–15 are estimated to be dabbling in tobacco, with a growing number succumbing to the allure of e-cigarettes. Dr. Krech raised a red flag, stating,
“We have teachers calling us, especially in the UK, where you saw a 150 percent increase in the last three years of uptake of e-cigarettes by children. So, they call us to say children cannot stay for a whole 45-minute lesson anymore because they need to step out to get e-cigarettes.”
Dr. Krech, a vocal advocate for stricter regulations, urged countries to ban e-cigarettes outright or impose stringent measures. “If you have not banned it, you should take very strong regulatory measures, meaning that you need to ensure that children do not get access to e-cigarettes.”
Highlighting the urgency, he stressed, “We have teachers calling us, especially in the UK, where you saw a 150 percent increase in the last three years of uptake of e-cigarettes by children. So, they call us to say children cannot stay for a whole 45-minute lesson anymore because they need to step out to get e-cigarettes.”
The WHO announced that this year’s World No Tobacco Day will be a battle cry against tobacco industry interference.
This dedicated day aims to fortify efforts to protect children from the clutches of tobacco as the industry deploys tactics to swamp the market with enticing flavours.
Dr. Krech’s prescription for a healthier future includes regulating vaping as medicine, obtainable only through pharmacies with a doctor’s prescription. This move seeks to address concerns surrounding accessibility and potential health risks associated with e-cigarettes.
As the world breathes a sigh of relief with declining global tobacco use, the battle against the puffing dragon is far from over. The call for continued vigilance, decisive action, and international cooperation rings loud and clear, echoing through the corridors of public health. As we navigate these evolving challenges, the world braces for a smoke-free tomorrow, one breath at a time.
