The latest World Health Organization Tobacco Trends report shows that as of 2024, one out of five adults continue to smoke. Although rates of smoking have decreased in the last 15 years, these rates are stagnating – a clear sign that new, evidence-based strategies are urgently needed.
Global Action believes that it is critical to protect youth from nicotine addiction and to help the one billion people across the globe who smoke quit or reduce their risks. A robust, science-backed regulatory and enforcement system is critical to ensure those who have never used nicotine do not begin.
We understand and respect that each adult who smokes will have a unique journey to quit. All of these individuals deserve evidence-based cessation education about the continuum of risk and access to quitting tools that will be effective for them. These tools may include reduced-risk nicotine products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches authorized by local health regulators.
Global Action fully supports the WHO’s target of reducing tobacco use prevalence by 30% by 2025 and reaffirms our commitment to supporting individuals and organizations exploring innovative approaches to decrease the use of combustible cigarettes.
The Report is a timely reminder that while progress has been made, much work remains.
The above can be attributed to Nataliia “Natasha” Toropova, Chief Development Office of Global Action to End Smoking.