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

[more fact sheets]

News and press releases

23 November 2011
WHO applauds Australia's new tobacco packaging legislation
[full text]

08 July 2011
Countries should show the horror effects of smoking: WHO
[full text]

26 May 2011
WHO calls for tougher laws on smoking
[full text]

27 May 2010
WHO warning: The tobacco industry is targeting women
[full text]

[more news]

Relevant publications and documents

Regional Action Plan 2010-2014 for the Tobacco Free Initiative (2010)
Put description here

Tobacco Free Plan-It: A Tool for Planning and Managing Tobacco Programs (2010)

Philippines Global Adult Tobacco Survey Country Report (2009)
The 2009 Philippines Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), was a nationally representative household survey of all non-institutionalized men and women aged 15 years and older, designed to produce internationally comparable data on tobacco use and tobacco control measures using a standardized questionnaire, sample design, data collection, and management procedures.

Viet Nam Global Adult Tobacco Survey Country Report (2010)
Put description here

[more publications and documents]