Tobacco
Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is currently responsible for the death of one in ten adults worldwide (about 5 million deaths each year). If current smoking patterns continue, it will cause some 10 million deaths each year by 2020. Half the people that smoke today—that is about 650 million people—will eventually be killed by tobacco. Each day in the WHO Western Pacific Region, 3000 people die from tobacco use.
Tobacco is the fourth most common risk factor for disease worldwide. The economic costs of tobacco use are equally devastating. In addition to the high public health costs of treating tobacco-caused diseases, tobacco kills people at the height of their productivity, depriving families of breadwinners and nations of a healthy workforce. Tobacco users are also less productive while they are alive due to increased sickness. A 1994 report estimated that the use of tobacco resulted in an annual global net loss of US$ 200 billion, a third of this loss being in developing countries.
Experience has shown that there are many cost-effective tobacco control measures that can be used in different settings and that can have a significant impact on tobacco consumption. The most cost-effective strategies are population-wide public policies, like bans on direct and indirect tobacco advertising, tobacco tax and price increases, smoke-free environments in all public and workplaces, and large clear graphic health messages on tobacco packaging. All these measures are discussed in the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
Fact sheets
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News and press releases
9 December 2009
Clear the air of tobacco smoke, WHO says
[full text]
23 September 2009
WHO urges countries to stand firm against tobacco manufacturers' wooing tactics
[full text]
26 September 2008
WHO: More efforts needed to beat the tobacco scourge
[full text]
30 May 2008
WHO honours 15-year old Japanese boy for creating smoke-free streets
[full text]
30 May 2008
WHO warns of tobacco offensive against the young
[full text]
[more news]
Relevant publications and documents
Upcoming meetings and events
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