FCTC 2030: Successful tobacco control in action

Overview

Tobacco takes a staggering toll on health worldwide, killing up to half of its users who don’t quit – resulting in over 7 million deaths a year. According to a new WHO global tobacco trends report, the number of tobacco users was estimated to be 1.2 billion in 2024, the vast majority of whom live in low-and middle-income countries. As well as noncommunicable diseases such as lung cancer, smokers are more vulnerable to infectious diseases: tobacco use reduces the effectiveness of HIV drugs and increases susceptibility to complications of diseases including tuberculosis and coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The indirect repercussions of tobacco use are insidious, going beyond even the devastating effects of second-hand smoke. Money spent on tobacco is money that could have been used to buy food, to keep children in school or to access health care. Discarded cigarette butts are a major source of environmental litter. Crucially, tobacco use undermines national economies: in 2022 alone, it was responsible for social and economic losses of US$ 1.7 trillion – the equivalent of 1.7% of global gross domestic product.

Tobacco control addresses this vast and wholly preventable health crisis. It can save millions of lives and benefit future generations.