The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on nations to intensify their efforts in tobacco control, citing a concerning decline in measures to safeguard health policies from increased interference by the tobacco industry worldwide.
In a recent appeal during the Tobacco Trends Report launch on January 16, WHO emphasized the urgency to shield future generations, as surveys consistently reveal that children aged 13–15 in most countries are using tobacco and nicotine products.
The tobacco epidemic stands as a formidable global public health crisis, claiming over 8 million lives annually.
Despite the ongoing need for robust tobacco control measures, the 2022 trends indicate a positive decline in global tobacco use, with approximately 1 in 5 adults currently consuming tobacco compared to 1 in 3 in 2000.
Encouragingly, 150 countries are making strides in reducing tobacco use. Notable success stories include Brazil and the Netherlands, where MPOWER tobacco control measures have led to a 35% reduction since 2010 and the Netherlands is on track to achieve a 30% reduction.
Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of WHO Department of Health Promotion, acknowledged progress in recent years but expressed dismay at the persistent efforts of the tobacco industry to prioritize profits over countless lives.
Highlighting regional disparities, the WHO South-East Asian Region reports the highest tobacco usage at 26.5%, closely followed by the European Region at 25.3%.
Despite progress, some countries have seen little change since 2010, and six nations, including Congo, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Oman, and the Republic of Moldova, are experiencing a rise in tobacco use.
The 2022 WHO findings shed light on the severe impact of the tobacco industry in Uganda, where over 15% of boys and 13% of girls aged 13-15 start smoking annually.
Shockingly, tobacco-related deaths in Uganda surpass those caused by HIV, TB, and malaria combined, with an estimated 204 deaths weekly.
Despite this alarming mortality rate, 1 in 10 Ugandans smoke cigarettes daily, presenting an ongoing and critical public health threat.