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“There is compelling evidence from countries that have implemented tobacco reduction
measures, that results can be seen quickly,” says Dr. Adriana Blanco, Unit Chief of Risk Factors
and Nutrition for the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO.
“You do not have to wait 10 years to see the impact on a population’s health, especially in
relation to cardiovascular diseases. This is why it is so important that countries accelerate the

implementation of the FCTC.”

Latest findings on Prevalence of Tobacco Use

· Change in smoking: The global prevalence of smokers has declined, but the absolute number
of smokers has barely changed since the beginning of this century due to population growth.
There are 1.1 billion adult smokers in the world today, and at least 367 million smokeless

tobacco users. In the Region of the Americas there are 132 million smokers. The prevalence of
smokers in the region has declined from 28.0% in 2000 to 17.4% in 2015.
· Smokeless tobacco: in 2015, 6.5% of the global population aged 15 and over used smokeless
tobacco (8.4% for males and 4.6% for females).

· By sex: For males aged 15 and over globally, 43% smoked tobacco in 2000 compared to 34%
in 2016, while 11% of females smoked in 2000, compared to 6% in 2016. In the Region of the
Americas the prevalence for males in 2000 was 33.4% compared to 22% in 2015, and, among
females, 22.6% in 2000 compared to 12.9% in 2015.
· Country response: Over half of all WHO Member States have reduced demand for tobacco,
and almost one in four are likely to meet the 30% reduction target by 2025. But countries must

do more to monitor tobacco use in all its forms – not only cigarette smoking. Currently, one in
four countries have insufficient data to monitor their tobacco epidemic.
· Youth: Worldwide, about 7%, or just over 24 million children aged 13–15, smoke cigarettes (17
million boys and 7 million girls). About 4% of children aged 13–15 years (13 million) use

smokeless tobacco products. In the Region of the Americas about 10% or 4.6 million children
aged 13–15, smoke cigarettes (2.4 million boys and 2.2 million girls). About 2% of children aged
13–15 years (1.2 million) use smokeless tobacco products.
· Developing countries: Over 80% of tobacco smokers live in low- and middle-income countries
(LMICS). Prevalence of tobacco use is decreasing more slowly in LMICs than in high-income
countries.

Editors note: