WHO reports drop in smoking, warns new nicotine products threaten gains
World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that the global number of smokers has dropped significantly over the past 15 years, yet cautions that tobacco use remains a major public health challenge, with one in five adults still addicted.
According to WHO’s latest report on tobacco use, published Monday, smoking rates worldwide have decreased from 26.2 per cent in 2010 to 19.5 per cent in 2024.
The agency is optimistic the downward trend will continue but stresses the battle is far from over.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus praised the progress but sounded the alarm on the tobacco industry’s evolving tactics.
“Millions of people are stopping, or not taking up, tobacco use thanks to tobacco control efforts by countries around the world.
“In response to this strong progress, the tobacco industry is fighting back with new nicotine products, aggressively targeting young people. Governments must act faster and stronger in implementing proven tobacco control policies.”
The report also provides the first global figures on e-cigarette use among adults and young people. Alarmingly, over 100 million people are now vaping, including 86 million adults and at least 15 million teenagers aged 13 to 15.
“Prevalence of e-cigarette use among adolescents is on average nine times that of adults, by country,” the report states.
WHO is urging governments to close regulatory gaps that allow the tobacco industry to lure young people with e-cigarettes and similar products.
“E-cigarettes are fueling a new wave of nicotine addiction,” said Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department for Social Determinants of Health.
“They are marketed as harm reduction but, in reality, are hooking kids on nicotine earlier and risk undermining decades of progress.”
Globally, 10 per cent of adolescents report using at least one type of tobacco product.
The report highlights Southeast Asia’s remarkable progress, where tobacco use among men has almost halved—from 70 per cent in 2000 to 37 per cent in 2023—accounting for over half of the global decline.
In 2024, Europe still holds the highest number of smokers, followed by the Western Pacific region, while Africa has the lowest tobacco use rates.
Looking ahead to 2030, WHO forecasts continued reductions in tobacco consumption but emphasises that sustained government action is essential.
“Nearly 20 per cent of adults still use tobacco and nicotine products. We cannot let up now,” said Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion.