Tobacco epidemic is still one of the world’s deadliest threats, said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in an opinion piece jointly written with Adriana Blanco Marquizo, Head of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC, published in Al Jazeera.
"In the past 20 years, tobacco use has dropped by one-third globally, and there are an estimated 118 million fewer tobacco users today compared with 2005," they said.
Global fight against tobacco remains an urgent public health battle, with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) standing as a critical bulwark against the pervasive influence of the tobacco industry.
Marking its 20th anniversary this week, the treaty has played a pivotal role in reducing tobacco use worldwide, yet challenges persist as manufacturers pivot to new products to sustain their profits.
Since its enforcement in 2005, the WHO FCTC has been instrumental in reducing global tobacco consumption by one-third, with 118 million fewer users today.
As one of the most widely embraced UN treaties, its impact spans 183 countries, covering 90 per cent of the world's population.
Through stringent policies—such as pictorial health warnings, advertising bans, smoke-free legislation, and tax hikes—nations have curtailed the reach of an industry that thrives on addiction and ill health.
Significant progress has been made, with 138 countries mandating large health warnings on cigarette packaging, and many enforcing plain packaging laws to diminish the appeal of tobacco products.
Meanwhile, 66 nations have imposed outright bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, while smoke-free policies now shield over a quarter of the global population from exposure to second-hand smoke.
Beyond health implications, tobacco use exacts a profound economic toll, costing an estimated 1.8 per cent of global GDP in healthcare expenditures and productivity losses.
Moreover, the environmental damage is staggering, with 4.5 trillion cigarette butts discarded annually, contributing to plastic pollution, deforestation, and carbon emissions of 80 million tonnes per year.
However, the fight is far from over.
The industry, faced with dwindling cigarette sales, is aggressively marketing e-cigarettes under the guise of harm reduction—despite growing evidence of their potential health risks.
Alarmingly, only 56 countries are on track to meet the global goal of a 30 per cent reduction in tobacco use by 2025.
The WHO FCTC remains as pertinent today as it was two decades ago, yet its implementation remains inconsistent.
To truly combat tobacco’s grip on global health, economies, and the environment, nations must bolster enforcement, eliminate industry interference in policymaking, and strengthen regulations against emerging nicotine products.
By fully adhering to the treaty’s provisions, governments can safeguard future generations from the enduring scourge of tobacco addiction, ensuring healthier societies and a more sustainable world.
