Shiv Telegram Media: Majority of Individuals Shielded by Tobacco Control Measures – World Health Organization
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New WHO Report Shows Dramatic Increase in Tobacco Control Policies, Saving Lives and Economies
A new report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed remarkable progress in tobacco control policies, with 71% of the world’s population, or 5.6 billion people, now protected by at least one effective tobacco control measure. This represents a fivefold increase from 2007.
The report highlights the success of the WHO’s MPOWER measures in reducing smoking rates over the past 15 years. Without these measures, it is estimated that there would be an additional 300 million smokers worldwide. The focus of the report is on protecting the public from second-hand smoke, and it is encouraging to note that almost 40% of countries now have completely smoke-free indoor public places.
Mauritius and the Netherlands have now achieved best-practice level in all MPOWER measures, joining Brazil and Türkiye in this commendable achievement. The report emphasizes the vital role of smoke-free public spaces in reducing smoking rates and safeguarding the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
However, despite significant progress, there is still work to be done. The report highlights that 44 countries remain unprotected by any MPOWER measures, and 53 countries do not have complete smoking bans in healthcare facilities. The report urges all countries to adopt the full set of MPOWER measures to combat the tobacco epidemic, which claims the lives of 8.7 million people annually.
It is alarming to note that around 1.3 million people die each year from second-hand smoke, and these deaths are completely preventable. The report emphasizes that implementing tobacco control measures not only saves lives but also saves economies billions of dollars in healthcare and productivity costs.
Furthermore, the report identifies eight countries, namely Ethiopia, Iran, Ireland, Jordan, Madagascar, Mexico, New Zealand, and Spain, which are just one policy away from joining the leaders in tobacco control. This underscores the importance of government action and public health measures in reducing tobacco use and promoting overall health.
In conclusion, the WHO’s latest report highlights the significant progress made in tobacco control policies globally. The increased adoption of effective measures has led to a decline in smoking rates and has protected billions of people from the harmful effects of tobacco. However, there is still room for improvement, and the report urges all countries to implement comprehensive tobacco control measures to further save lives and economies.
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