GENEVA: In the ongoing battle against deadly tobacco, a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights a significant achievement, with approximately 5.6 billion people, or 71 percent of the world's population, now protected by at least one effective tobacco control policy. This remarkable progress, a fivefold increase since 2007, is attributed to the successful implementation of WHO's MPOWER tobacco control measures.
Over the past 15 years, the introduction of MPOWER measures worldwide has led to a decline in smoking rates, preventing an estimated 300 million new smokers from emerging.
The latest WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, underscores the importance of safeguarding the public from second-hand smoke, noting that nearly 40pc of countries have now established smoke-free indoor public places.
One of the report's notable achievements is the recognition of two countries, Mauritius and the Netherlands, for attaining the best-practice level in all MPOWER measures. Prior to this, only Brazil and Türkiye had accomplished this feat. Both Mauritius and the Netherlands have demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing evidence-based best-practice policies to protect their citizens from tobacco's harmful effects.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, commended these countries' progress and encouraged others to follow their example. He emphasized that WHO's effective policies are increasingly shielding people from the hazards of tobacco.
Mauritius, as the first country in Africa to adopt the full package of WHO tobacco control policies at the highest level, received acknowledgment from its Prime Minister, the Hon Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. He declared that the nation is resolutely moving towards becoming smoke-free.
Similarly, the Netherlands, as the first country in the European Union to achieve this milestone, attributed its success to the dedication of civil society organizations, health experts, and medical professionals. Maarten van Ooijen, the State Secretary for Health, Welfare, and Sports, expressed gratitude and reaffirmed the country's commitment to achieving a smoke-free generation by 2040.
The report underscores that smoke-free environments are just one of the effective tobacco control measures within the MPOWER framework. Such policies not only ensure cleaner air for everyone but also motivate smokers to quit and prevent young people from initiating smoking or using e-cigarettes.
Despite significant progress, there is still work to be done. Currently, 44 countries remain without any of WHO's MPOWER measures, and 53 countries lack complete smoking bans in healthcare facilities. The fight against tobacco industry marketing campaigns remains crucial in reducing smoking-related deaths.
Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, stressed the need to continue efforts, as tobacco continues to be the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. He called for more countries to adopt smart tobacco control policies backed by public opinion and science to improve public health and save millions of lives.
The WHO urges all countries to implement all MPOWER measures at best-practice levels to combat the tobacco epidemic, which claims 8.7 million lives globally each year. By doing so, economies can save billions of dollars in healthcare and productivity costs, while significantly reducing preventable deaths caused by tobacco use.
