The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a significant drop in global smoking rates compared to 15 years ago, though one in every five adults around the world continues to use tobacco.
In its latest global tobacco report released on Monday, the UN health agency reviewed smoking trends from 2010 to 2024, concluding that while progress has been made, the tobacco epidemic persists. According to WHO data, global tobacco use has decreased from 26.2 per cent in 2010 to 19.5 per cent in 2024, and the organization predicts that this downward trend will continue.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus commended global efforts to curb tobacco use but cautioned that new nicotine products are being used by the industry to maintain addiction among consumers.
“Millions of people are stopping, or not taking up, tobacco use thanks to tobacco control efforts by countries around the world.
In response to this strong progress, the tobacco industry is fighting back with new nicotine products, aggressively targeting young people. Governments must act faster and stronger in implementing proven tobacco control policies.”
For the first time, the report provided global estimates of e-cigarette use among both adults and adolescents.
“The numbers are alarming: more than 100 million people worldwide are now vaping, including 86 million adults and at least 15 million adolescents aged 13-15.
Prevalence of e-cigarette use among adolescents is on average nine times that of adults, by country.”
WHO urged governments to strengthen regulations and close policy gaps that allow the tobacco industry to attract younger consumers through e-cigarettes and other nicotine-based products.
“E-cigarettes are fueling a new wave of nicotine addiction,” said Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department for Social Determinants of Health. “They are marketed as harm reduction but, in reality, are hooking kids on nicotine earlier and risk undermining decades of progress.”
Globally, about 10 per cent of adolescents are using one or more types of tobacco products. In Southeast Asia, which was once the world’s top tobacco-consuming region, usage among men has dropped dramatically—from 70 per cent in 2000 to 37 per cent in 2024. This region alone contributed to more than half of the worldwide decline.
As of 2024, Europe remains home to the largest number of smokers, followed by the Western Pacific region, while Africa records the lowest tobacco use rates.
Looking ahead to 2030, WHO expects global tobacco consumption to continue falling but emphasizes that stronger government action is essential to sustain momentum.
“Nearly 20 per cent of adults still use tobacco and nicotine products. We cannot let up now,” said Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion.
