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 benefit from at least one tobacco control measure, a proportion five times higher than in 2007. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes protection against passive exposure to tobacco smoke.

In a report published on July 31, 2023, the WHO takes 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 % from passive smoking, or 1.3 million.

Tobacco control measures advocated by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) have helped reduce global tobacco prevalence from 22.8% in 2007 to 17% 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

WHO estimates that 71,000 of the world's population is 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 programme, with Mauritius and the Netherlands joining Brazil and Turkey. The eight countries that have implemented at least four measures with the highest level of completion include Ethiopia, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Madagascar, Mexico, New Zealand and Spain. 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 the countries do not yet have smoke-free workplaces and restaurants. Similarly, 53 countries have not made their health care facilities completely smoke-free. The high mortality rate of non-smokers due to second-hand smoke thus prompts WHO to promote protection of all from tobacco smoke as one of the current priorities. In addition to protecting the public from tobacco smoke and helping to breathe cleaner air, smoking bans in indoor and public spaces also help to 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 implementation of the WHO MPOWER programme measures shows that action and reductions in tobacco use are possible, regardless of the income level of countries. In addition to the gains in public health, these policies also generate substantial savings in health, environmental and productivity costs.

Keywords: WHO, CCLAT, MPOWER, anti-smoking measures.

M.F.

[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 on 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 against 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.