The Global Health Observatory
Explore a world of health data
Appears in:
SDG Target 3.a Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries
Pictorial health warnings work
"Large pictorial or graphic health warnings, including plain packaging, with hard hitting messages can persuade smokers to protect the health of non-smokers by not smoking inside the home, increase compliance with smoke-free laws and encourage more people to quit tobacco use."
Bans on tobacco advertising lower consumption
"Comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship can reduce tobacco consumption."
Taxes are effective in reducing tobacco use
"Tobacco taxes are the most cost-effective way to reduce tobacco use and health care costs, especially among youth and low-income people, while increasing revenue in many countries."
Tobacco users need help to quit
"Studies show that few people understand the specific health risks of tobacco use. However, when smokers become aware of the dangers of tobacco, most want to quit."
Illicit trade of tobacco products must be stopped
"Stopping illicit trade in tobacco products is a health priority and is achievable. But to do so requires improvement of national and sub-national tax administration systems and international collaboration. "
Summary findings
Tobacco use
1.2 billion
adults worldwide are using tobacco
Policies for tobacco use reduction
140
countries are successfully reducing tobacco use with evidence-based policies
Tobacco use decline
120 million
fewer tobacco users worldwide since 2010
GHO M_Est_tob_curr_std Estimate of current tobacco use prevalence (%) (age-standardized) REGIONAL DOT PLOT TEMPLATE
Gathering global data
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GHO Tobacco prevalence Age-standardized estimates of current tobacco use, tobacco smoking and cigarette smoking M_Est_tob_curr_std, M_Est_smk_curr_std, M_Est_cig_curr_std SEX
Gathering global data
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GHO M_Est_tob_curr_std Map Current tobacco use adults
Gathering global data
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Tobacco control – monitoring prevalence
Tobacco control: Monitor: current tobacco use, tobacco smoking and cigarette smoking
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Tobacco control: Monitor: current tobacco use, tobacco smoking and cigarette smoking, age-standardized -
Tobacco control: Monitor: current tobacco use, tobacco smoking and cigarette smoking, estimate, non-age-standardized
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Tobacco control: Monitor: number of current users of tobacco, smoked tobacco, cigarettes
Tobacco MPOWER Monitor: Tobacco use, smoking, smokeless tobacco or e-cigarette use, population-based and school-based surveys
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Tobacco MPOWER Monitor: prevalence of tobacco use, tobacco smoking, and cigarette smoking among adults from nationally representative population-based surveys
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Tobacco MPOWER Monitor: prevalence of smokeless tobacco use and/or electronic cigarette use among adults from nationally representative population-based surveys
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Tobacco MPOWER Monitor: prevalence of tobacco use, tobacco smoking and cigarette smoking among adolescents from nationally representative school-based surveys
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Tobacco MPOWER Monitor: prevalence of smokeless tobacco use and/or electronic cigarette use among adolescents from nationally representative school-based surveys
Related publications
6 October 2025
WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030
This report presents WHO estimates of tobacco use prevalence among the population aged 15 years and older from 2000–2024, with trends projected to...
The tenth WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic tracks the progress made by countries in tobacco control since 2008. The MPOWER technical package...
Questions & Answers
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