By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-17 13:34:30
The Global tobacco report for 2022 indicates a continued decline in tobacco use rates worldwide, with 1 in 5 adults consuming tobacco compared to 1 in 3 in 2000. Dr. Rüdiger Krech, the director of Health Promotion at the WHO, presented the main findings of the report in Geneva, stating that there are currently 1.25 billion people still smoking, but there are 19 million fewer smokers than there were two years ago.
The report shows that the fastest decreases in tobacco use are happening in lower middle-income countries, while the highest prevalence of tobacco users is in the WHO South-East Asian region, although rates are falling rapidly. The African Region has the lowest tobacco use prevalence, decreasing from an average of 18 percent in 2000 to under 10 percent in 2022.
The WHO encourages countries to continue implementing tobacco control policies and fight against tobacco industry interference. However, there are concerns about the increasing rates of tobacco use among women in some parts of the European region.
The report also highlights the alarming rates of tobacco and e-cigarette use among children, with at least 37 million children aged 13-15 currently using some form of tobacco. Many countries, including the UK, have found high levels of e-cigarette use among adolescents. The WHO is advocating for more regulation to restrict access and reduce exposure to tobacco and nicotine products among children.
To protect future generations and ensure the continued decline of tobacco use, WHO will dedicate this year’s World No Tobacco Day to protecting children from tobacco industry interference. There are also suggestions to regulate vaping as a medicine, accessible through pharmacies with a prescription, for those who use it to quit smoking.
It’s crucial to address the impact of tobacco and e-cigarette use, as tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke.
In conclusion, the report emphasizes the need for continued efforts to reduce tobacco use worldwide and protect children from the influence of the tobacco industry. Sources for the information presented in this article include the WHO.
