WHO publishes its 2009 Report on tobacco

In its 2008 Report, the WHO identified six cost-effective solutions, called MPOWER, which have been proven to reduce tobacco use:

 “Monitor tobacco use and assess the impact of tobacco prevention and cessation efforts;
 Protect everyone from secondhand smoke with laws that require smoke-free workplaces and public places;
 Offer help to every tobacco user to quit;
 Warn and effectively educate every person about the dangers of tobacco use with strong, pictorial health warnings and hard-hitting, sustained media campaigns to educate the public; and
 Enact and enforce comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships and on the use of misleading terms such as “light” and “low-tar’’; and
 Raise the price of tobacco products by increasing tobacco taxes.”

However, based on scientific evidence, these solutions did not cover more than 10% of the world’s population in 2009.

Since 2008, 10 nations have committed to implement the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which increases the total number of countries to 160. Despite this, only 2% of the world population live in countries with comprehensive smoke-free laws, more than 90% do not benefit from any protection against tobacco marketing, and the money collected annually from tobacco taxes is more than 170 times higher than the amount invested in tobacco control measures.

While the Report shows evidence and expresses a number of recommendations, amongst which the necessity to protect public health through legislation that fully mandates smoke-free environments, one person dies every 48 seconds in Europe - and over a million per year - as a direct or indirect consequence of smoking. Tobacco is the largest cause of avoidable deaths in the EU and if the current trend continues, more than 8 million people will die every year by 2030.

The WHO Report shows that progress is possible and that the political will is present. That said, there is still place for improvement.

For further information:
 The WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic

EPHA related articles:
 Tobacco Control Advocacy and Campaign Workshop
 Call for Information on the Addictiveness and Attractiveness of Tobacco Additives
 Tobacco Free Europe campaign launched
 Protecting children and young people from tobacco
 Spotlight on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
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