Tobacco use is gradually declining around the world, according to the World Health Organization

The world is on track to reduce tobacco consumption by a quarter between 2010 and 2025, according to the UN health agency.

A gradual decline. The number of adults consuming tobacco around the world has steadily declined in recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday January 16. In 2022, around one in five adults in the world smoked or consumed tobacco derivatives, compared to one in three at the turn of the millennium, the UN health agency recalls in a new report.

Its data shows that 150 countries are succeeding in reducing tobacco consumption. Brazil, for example, has already managed to reduce its tobacco consumption by 35% since 2010. Six countries, on the other hand, have seen tobacco consumption increase since 2010: Congo, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan , Oman and Moldova.

Even if the number of smokers has continued to decline, the WHO estimates that the objective of a 30% reduction in tobacco consumption between 2010 and 2025 cannot be achieved. The world is on track to reduce tobacco consumption by a quarter over this period, the agency estimates.

Eight million deaths per year

However, the tobacco industry is stepping up its efforts to undermine this progress. In particular, it attempts to get children addicted to new, highly addictive products. “They kill and continue to do everything possible to undermine excellent efforts” countries showing progress, denounced Ruediger Krech, director of the WHO health promotion department.

Although tobacco companies say they do not target young people, the UN official notes that their products come in thousands of flavors and shapes, appealing to children and young people. Thus, 10% of young people aged 13 to 15 around the world consume one or more types of tobacco.

Smoking kills more than eight million people each year, including approximately 1.3 million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.