The last WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic concludes that more countries have implemented tobacco control policies, ranging from illustrated package warnings to non-smoking areas, to advertising bans.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WELCOMES RESULTS
About 4,7 billion people, or 63% of the world's population, are covered by at least one comprehensive measure of tobacco control. Compared to 2007, when only 1 billion people and 15% of the population were protected, the figure quadrupled. Strategies for implementing these policies have saved millions of people from premature death. However, the report notes, the tobacco industry continues to hinder governments' efforts to fully implement life-saving and cost-saving interventions.
«Governments around the world must waste no time in integrating all the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control into their national tobacco control programs and policies."Said the Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. "They must also take authoritarian measures against the illicit tobacco trade, which exacerbates the global tobacco epidemic and its health and socio-economic consequences.»
Dr. Tedros adds, "By working together, countries can prevent millions of people dying from tobacco-related diseases each year, saving billions of dollars a year in health care costs and lost productivity.».
Today, 4,7 billion people are protected by at least one measure relating tobest practiceContained in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, 3,6 billion more than 2007 according to the report. It is thanks to the intensification of action by governments that have redoubled their efforts to implement the flagship measures of the Framework Convention that has allowed this progress to be registered.
Strategies to support the application of demand reduction measures in the Framework Convention, such asMPOWERHave saved millions of people from a premature death and saved hundreds of billions of dollars over the past 10 years. MPOWER has been set up in 2008 to facilitate government action on 6 control strategies in line with the Framework Convention:
- (Monitor) monitor tobacco consumption and prevention policies;
- (Protect) protect the population from tobacco smoke;
- (Offer) offer help to those who want to stop smoking;
- (Warn) warn against the harmful effects of smoking;
- (Enforce) enforce the ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and
- (Raise) raise taxes on tobacco.
«One 10 death worldwide is due to smoking, but this can be changed with MPOWER control measures that have proven highly effective", Explain Michael R. Bloomberg, World Ambassador 
of the WHO for noncommunicable diseases and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. Progress in the world, highlighted in this report, shows that it is possible for countries to turn the tide. Bloomberg Philanthropies will be pleased to work with Dr. Ghebreyesus and continue collaboration with WHO.
The new report, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, focuses on monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies. The authors find that one-third of the countries have comprehensive systems for monitoring tobacco use. While their proportion has increased relative to 2007 (it was a quarter at the time), governments still need to do more to prioritize and finance this area of work.
Even countries with limited resources can monitor tobacco use and implement prevention policies. By producing data on young people and adults, countries can then promote health, save on health costs and generate revenue for public services, the report says. He adds that the systematic control of the interference of the tobacco industry in the development of government policies protects public health by highlighting the tactics of this industry, such as exaggerating its economic importance, discrediting the scientific facts and to use judicial procedures to intimidate governments.
«Countries can better protect their citizens, including children, from the tobacco industry and its products when using tobacco monitoring systems"Says the Dr. Douglas Bettcher, WHO Director of the NCD Prevention Department.
«Interference by the tobacco industry in public policies is a deadly obstacle to progress in health and development in many countriesSays Dr. Bettcher. "But by controlling and blocking these activities, we can save lives and sow the seeds of a sustainable future for all.»
