According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of people who smoke tobacco products has fallen from 1.26 billion in 2020 to 1.24 billion in 2022.
About 224 million of the estimated 1.24 billion people worldwide who use tobacco products in 2022 were women. At the initiative of the UN agency, 9 February is celebrated annually as World Stop Smoking Day to help prevent smoking harm, reduce its consumption and raise public awareness.
WHO forecasts further reductions in tobacco consumption, with the number of people smoking tobacco products globally falling to 1.22 billion in 2025.
About 411 million people consume tobacco products in South-East Asia, followed by the Western Pacific with 370 million, Europe with 179 million, the Americas with 133 million, the Eastern Mediterranean with 92 million and Africa with 60 million. According to WHO, Turkey’s adult smoking rate exceeds 30 per cent, placing the country in the highest category in Europe along with 15 other European nations.
WHO reports that more than 8 million people die each year due to tobacco use, as tobacco products, which are highly addictive, cause both respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
Although the number of people who consume tobacco products is falling, the use of e-cigarettes, which are divided into nicotine and nicotine-free products, is increasing globally. Instead of tobacco, users inhale fumes produced by heating the liquid while smoking.
E-cigarettes, which have recently been flavoured, may be used to attract younger consumers. Moreover, vendors are modifying e-cigarettes and disposable vape devices to further increase the interest of young people on social media. Consumption of these devices, which offer around 16,000 flavours, is growing rapidly among children and young people.
According to WHO, 88 countries have no minimum age for selling e-cigarettes and 74 countries have no legal regulation of these harmful products.
