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Heated tobacco products: summary of research and evidence of health impacts
The policy brief summarizes the eighth report of the WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation, entitled WHO study group on tobacco product regulation: report on the scientific basis of tobacco product regulation: eighth report of a WHO study group. This eighth report of the Study Group, which addressed novel and emerging nicotine and tobacco products, specifically electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS) and heated tobacco products (HTPs), provided evidenced- based recommendations on these products and informed the development of the report of WHO to the ninth and tenth Sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework on Tobacco Control.
This policy brief, which is an abridge version of the eight report of the Study Group, provides a quick reference guide to countries on the issues addressed in the eighth report, concerning mainly heated tobacco products. It also reminds parties of their legal obligations and provides guidance on policy options for these products based on the review of evidence on heated tobacco products by the Study Group at the time the eighth report was published.
WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023: protect people from tobacco smoke
The ninth WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic tracks the progress made by countries in tobacco control since 2008, and marks 15 years since the introduction of the MPOWER technical package which is designed to help countries implement the demand-reduction measures of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The report shows that many countries continue to make progress in the fight against tobacco, but efforts must be accelerated to protect people from the harms of tobacco and second-hand smoke.
WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023: protect people from tobacco smoke: executive summary
The ninth WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic tracks the progress made by countries in tobacco control since 2008 and, marks 15 years since the introduction of the MPOWER technical package which is designed to help countries implement the demand-reduction measures of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The report shows that many countries continue to make progress in the fight against tobacco, but efforts must be accelerated to protect people from the harms of tobacco and second-hand smoke.
WHO study group on tobacco product regulation: report on the scientific basis of tobacco product regulation: ninth report of a WHO study group
This report of the WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation provides the Director-General with scientifically sound, evidence-based recommendations for Member States about tobacco product regulation. The outcomes and recommendations address emerging issues in tobacco product regulation, such as newer ways in which non-therapeutic nicotine, particularly in nicotine products, is promoted and delivered to people in different age groups. The five topics addressed in the report, based on the commissioned background papers for the eleventh meeting of the study group, are enumerated below:
- Additives that facilitate inhalation, including cooling agents, nicotine salts and flavourings (Section 2);
- Synthetic nicotine: science, global legal landscape and regulatory considerations (Section 3);
- Nicotine pouches: characteristics, use, harmfulness and regulation (Section 4);
- Biomarkers of exposure, effect and susceptibility for assessing electronic nicotine delivery devices and heated tobacco products, and their possible prioritization (Section 5) and
- Internet, influencer and social media marketing of tobacco and non-therapeutic nicotine products and associated regulatory considerations (Section 6).
Freedom from nicotine and tobacco: guide for schools
Tobacco has negative implications for the environment, the economy and the health of both smokers and non-smokers. All people have a fundamental right to breathe clean air, and tobacco-free environments are essential to guaranteeing this right. This includes protection in outdoor spaces. Whether sitting in class, playing games outside or waiting at the school bus stop, young people should be protected from second-hand smoke and e-cigarette emissions.
The guide is intended to provide schools and their students with the necessary knowledge and tools to successfully adopt a nicotine-free and tobacco-free campus policy. This step-by-step guide suggests engaging activities, offers sample communications material and provides practical examples of schools worldwide that have implemented nicotine-free and tobacco-free campus policies.
WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2030
Progress in reducing tobacco use is a key indicator for measuring countries’ efforts to implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – target 3.a under the Sustainable Development Goals agenda. Countries have adopted this indicator to report progress also towards the tobacco reduction target under the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2013–2020 and the WHO’s Global Programme of Work triple billions target. This report presents WHO estimates of tobacco use prevalence for 2022, numbers of users, and trends projected to 2030. Estimates are at global, regional and country-level.
Restricting digital marketing in the context of tobacco, alcohol, food and beverages, and breast-milk substitutes: existing approaches and policy options
WHO has long recommended marketing restrictions in the contexts of tobacco and nicotine products, alcoholic beverages, foods and beverages with respect to children, and breastmilk substitutes. But the question of how to implement these recommendations has become more complex as digital media has grown and large online platforms have centered their businesses around advertising, and specifically around targeting of advertising to consumers based on their online activity or personal data they have shared.
As a response to these challenges, this technical product examines how restrictions on digital marketing are implemented by Member States as part of broader marketing restrictions, describes current challenges specific to digital marketing and provides policy options and approaches that Member States can adopt to strengthen the design and implementation of restrictions.
Electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes)
E-cigarettes are the most common type of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS). They heat a liquid to create aerosols that are inhaled by the user. These so-called e-liquids do not contain tobacco and may or may not contain nicotine. They also typically contain additives, flavours and chemicals that can be harmful to people’s health.
This briefer describes the harms of e-cigarettes and how the tobacco industry is deliberately and aggressively marketing these products to make them attractive to children and young people. It also outlines measures countries may take to prevent uptake of e-cigarettes and counter nicotine addiction alongside a comprehensive approach to tobacco control.
Hooking the next generation: how the tobacco industry captures young customers
Young people across the world are urging governments to shield them from predatory tobacco marketing tactics. The industry targets youth for a lifetime of profits, creating a new wave of addiction. The latest data show that children are using e-cigarettes at rates higher than adults in many countries and globally an estimated 37 million youth aged 13–15 years use tobacco.
WHO clinical treatment guideline for tobacco cessation in adults
Supporting tobacco users to quit is core demand-reduction measure of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and a key component of WHO MPOWER policy package. This guideline provides technical guidance on a thorough set of tobacco cessation interventions for adults, and to support WHO Member States to use evidence-based behavioural interventions and pharmacological treatments for tobacco cessation as part of a comprehensive tobacco control approach.
This guideline is primarily intended for use by health care providers working in clinical and community settings where tobacco users may present and be managed. The recommendations on system-level interventions and policies contained in this guideline are to inform policy makers and health service managers on how to enhance the adoption and implementation of effective tobacco cessation interventions.
Two decades of WHO FCTC implementation in South-East Asia Region
This report reviews the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in the South-East Asia Region over the past two decades. It shares best practices and enumerates selected case studies from the countries of the Region and presents recommendations to further strengthen and accelerate the implementation of WHO FCTC at the country level for effective tobacco control.
Two decades of action: strategies to advance tobacco control in the Western Pacific
Over the past 20 years, the WHO Western Pacific Region has made significant progress in tobacco control, guided by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This progress is attributed to a combination of comprehensive strategies, political commitment and innovative approaches. This report highlights 10 essential strategies that contributed to advancing tobacco control in the Region, based on case studies illustrating their practical application and effectiveness. While tobacco industry tactics, the global tobacco marketplace, and the media landscape continue to evolve, the Region can learn from the past to amplify the progress in a coordinated manner.
WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2025: warning about the dangers of tobacco
The tenth WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic tracks the progress made by countries in tobacco control since 2008. The MPOWER technical package was designed to help countries adopt the demand-reduction measures of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
The 2025 report focuses on the W measure: warn about the dangers of tobacco and shows that with 6.1 billion people protected by at least one MPOWER measure at best-practice level many countries continue to make progress in the fight against tobacco. Four countries have now achieved the full MPOWER packaged while a further seven are only one measure away. At the same time 40 countries still have no MPOWER measure at best-practice level.
Tobacco and cancer treatment outcomes
This document is the third in a series of Tobacco Knowledge Summaries. This document is prepared with the objective to summarize the current evidence on tobacco use by cancer patients and cancer treatment outcomes. This is also intended as an advocacy tool to widely include health care professionals, in particular those caring for patients with cancer, in the fight for tobacco control and prevention of tobacco related adverse health effects.
This knowledge summary was prepared by World Health Organization in collaboration with International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and The University of Newcastle Australia.
Tobacco and HIV
This document is the tenth in a series of Tobacco Knowledge Summaries and is prepared with the objective to summarize the current evidence on the association between tobacco use and HIV. This is also intended as an advocacy tool for the integration of screening for tobacco use, assessing willingness to quit, and offering brief advice, and supporting the initiation of pharmacotherapy as part of standard HIV care practice.
This knowledge summary was prepared by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the New York University, School of Global Public Health, and the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+).
Tobacco and vision loss
This document is the sixth in a series of Tobacco Knowledge Summaries. This document is prepared with the objective to summarize the current evidence on the association between tobacco use and vision loss. This is also intended as an advocacy tool to widely include health care professionals, in particular ophthalmologists, optometrists and other eye care specialists, in the fight for tobacco control and prevention of tobacco related adverse health effects.
This knowledge summary was prepared by World Health Organization in collaboration with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and The University of Newcastle Australia.
Tobacco and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
This document is the eighth in a series of Tobacco Knowledge Summaries. This document is prepared with the objective to summarize the current evidence on the association between tobacco use and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is also intended as an advocacy tool to widely include health care professionals, in particular pulmonologists and respirologists, in the fight for tobacco control and prevention of tobacco related adverse health effects.
This knowledge summary was prepared by World Health Organization in collaboration with the Forum of International Respiratory Societies and The University of Newcastle Australia.
Tobacco and asthma
This document is the ninth in a series of Tobacco Knowledge Summaries and is prepared with the objective to summarize the current evidence on the association between tobacco use and asthma. This is also intended as an advocacy tool to widely include health care professionals, in particular pulmonologists and respirologists, in the fight for tobacco control and prevention of tobacco related adverse health effects.
This knowledge summary was prepared by World Health Organization in collaboration with the Forum of International Respiratory Societies, the Global Initiative for Asthma and The University of Tasmania.
Tobacco and diabetes
This document is the seventh in a series of Tobacco Knowledge Summaries. This document is prepared with the objective to summarize the current evidence on the association between tobacco use and diabetes. This is also intended as an advocacy tool to widely include health care professionals in the fight for tobacco control and prevention of tobacco related adverse health effects.
This knowledge summary was prepared by World Health Organization in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation and The University of Newcastle Australia.