WHO confirms that tobacco control measures are protecting more people worldwide

The new WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic shows that 71% of the world's population benefits from at least one tobacco control measure, a proportion five times higher than in 2007. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes protection against secondhand smoke.

In a report published on July 31, 2023, the WHO has taken stock of the global tobacco epidemic for the ninth time.[1]This report indicates that 8.7 million people die each year from smoking, including 15 million from passive smoking, or 1.3 million.

Tobacco control measures advocated by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) have helped reduce global smoking prevalence from 22.8% in 2007 to 17.1% in 2021. In particular, they have enabled 300 million people to avoid becoming smokers.[2]These effective measures are synthesized in the six axes of the MPOWER program[3], promoted by the WHO for around fifteen years.

Clear progress in anti-smoking measures

The WHO estimates that 71,000 people worldwide are now protected by at least one of the MPOWER measures, a five-fold increase since 2007. There are now 151 countries, compared to 44 in 2017, that have at least one of these measures; however, 44 countries, with a population of 2.3 billion, have no measures to protect their populations against tobacco.

Only four countries are fully implementing the MPOWER program, with Mauritius and the Netherlands joining Brazil and Turkey. Among the eight countries with the highest level of completion are Spain, Ethiopia, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Madagascar, Mexico, and New Zealand. Finally, 36 countries have fully completed three of these measures.

A focus on smoking bans

While 40 countries, representing 2.1 billion people, now have smoke-free public places, half of them still lack smoke-free workplaces and restaurants. Similarly, 53 countries have not made their healthcare facilities completely smoke-free. The significant mortality rate among non-smokers due to secondhand smoke has prompted the WHO to promote protection for all from tobacco smoke as a current priority. In addition to protecting the public from tobacco smoke and helping them breathe cleaner air, smoking bans in indoor and public spaces also help denormalize tobacco use, motivate smokers to quit, and keep young people away from tobacco and vaping.

Much remains to be done in tobacco control, but the implementation of the WHO MPOWER program measures shows that action and tobacco reduction are possible, regardless of a country's income level. In addition to the public health gains achieved, these policies also generate substantial savings in terms of health, environmental, and productivity costs.

Keywords: WHO, FCTC, MPOWER, tobacco control measures.

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[1] WHO, WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023, Protect people from tobacco smoke, 2023, report, 248 p.

[2] Roucaute D, Smoking continues to decline, but most countries still do not mandate completely smoke-free enclosed public places, Le Monde, published July 31, 2023, consulted on 1^er August 2023.

[3] MPOWER's six axes: 1- Monitor tobacco consumption and prevention policies; 2- Protect the population from tobacco smoke; 3- Offer assistance to people who want to quit smoking; 4- Warn against the harmful effects of smoking; 5- Enforce the ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; 6- Increase tobacco taxes.