Tobacco use could kill as many as one billion people in the 21st century, according to the World Health Organization, in a report that urged governments to introduce new control policies.
The report, released Thursday, said tobacco use killed 100 million people worldwide in the 20th century and is currently responsible for the deaths of 5.4 million every year. The report warned that if unchecked, by 2030 there will be more than eight million deaths per year — 80 per cent of which will be residents of developing countries.
"We hold in our hands the solution to the global tobacco epidemic that threatens the lives of one billion men, women and children during this century," said WHO director general Dr. Margaret Chan in the report.
"In fact, tobacco use can kill in so many ways that it is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death in the world. The cure for this devastating epidemic is dependent not on medicines or vaccines, but on the concerted actions of government and civil society."
The report called on governments to introduce the following six policies:
- Increase tobacco taxes and prices.
- Outlaw tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
- Protect people from second-hand smoke with public smoking bans.
- Warn consumers about associated health risks.
- Establish support programs for people trying to quit smoking.
- Monitor tobacco use prevention policies.
The report also suggests a significant imbalance in terms of prevention and profit, noting that governments collect 500 times more money in tobacco taxes each year than they spend on anti-smoking programs.
"Only around five per cent of the world's population is covered by any one of the key interventions of effective advertising, promotion and sponsorship bans, smoke-free spaces, prominent pack warnings, protection from deceptive and misleading advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and cessation support," the report said.
Among the report's other findings:
- Forty per cent of countries allow smoking in hospitals and schools.
- Pictorial warnings are only required in 15 countries.
- Support programs to treat dependence is available to five per cent of the world's population in nine countries.