New WHO Report Suggests that Smoking-Related Diseases Can Contribute to Death of One Billion People by the Year 2100

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently published a new report on tobacco-related mortality. The report shows that, despite some positive changes in fighting smoking and tobacco-related illnesses worldwide, implemented measures to control cigarette consumption are still insufficient to fight high levels of smoking-related deaths. WHO has also outlined new recommendations on how to prevent the spread of disease and mortality caused by tobacco consumption. The Organization warns that, unless urgent measures are implemented, cigarettes may kill more than one billion people worldwide by the end of the 21st century.

According to the new WHO data, smoking killed more than 100 million people in the past century and is currently responsible for 5.4 million death cases each year. The Organization estimates that, if smoking rates are not significantly reduced, tobacco will be killing annually 8 million people by the year 2030, especially in the Third World countries.

The new report, which provides a thorough analysis of worldwide tobacco use, shows that approximately 95 percent of the global population live in economies that do not implement sufficient measures to protect their residents from smoking-related mortality. The data also demonstrate that many governments derive vast revenues from tobacco taxes and therefore are reluctant to employ measures that would reduce smoking rates in their countries.

WHO has proposed a set of six MPOWER policies designed to reduce smoking around the world. The package includes measures to monitor and prevent tobacco use; protect populations from environmental tobacco smoke; offer support to smokers who attempt smoking cessation; educate people about dangers of tobacco consumption; ban all sorts of tobacco advertising; and raise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

WHO states that “smoking epidemic” is currently especially severe in developing countries, resulting in high rates of tobacco-related mortality. Another tendency is increased rates of cigarette smoking among young people and the female population.

WHO official Dr. Douglas Bettcher says that the proposed counter-measures have been designed to address all sides of the epidemic. They would assist current smokers in their efforts to kick the habit; reduce population’s exposure to second-hand smoke; and prevent women and young adults from starting smoking.

Jimmy Edwards