- Over 7 million lives lost annually as countries urged to strengthen anti-tobacco measures
By Business Insider Reporter
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a critical warning on the global fight against tobacco use, highlighting growing industry interference that threatens to reverse nearly two decades of progress in tobacco control. The warning came during the launch of the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report, unveiled at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin on Friday.
According to WHO, although more than 6.1 billion people – three-quarters of the world’s population – are now covered by at least one best-practice tobacco control measure, momentum is slowing as the tobacco industry adapts its tactics to undermine public health efforts.
The report, backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, evaluates the implementation of WHO’s MPOWER strategy, a six-part framework introduced in 2007 to reduce tobacco use worldwide.
MPOWER includes: monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from smoke, offering cessation support, warning about the dangers of tobacco, enforcing advertising bans, and raising taxes.
“Twenty years since the adoption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, we have many successes to celebrate—but the tobacco industry continues to evolve, and so must we,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
Some progress, but major gaps remain
Only four countries – Brazil, Turkey, Mauritius, and the Netherlands – have fully implemented all six MPOWER measures. An additional seven nations, including Ethiopia and Ireland, are just one measure away.
Yet, 40 countries still lack even a single measure at best-practice level, and more than 30 countries allow cigarettes to be sold without mandatory health warnings.
In taxation – a key measure proven to reduce tobacco use – 134 countries have failed to make cigarettes less affordable, and only three countries have raised tobacco taxes to best-practice levels since 2022.
Despite clear evidence supporting anti-tobacco media campaigns, 110 countries have not run one since 2022. Only 36% of the global population now lives in countries running campaigns rated as best practice.
Meanwhile, only 33% of the world’s people have access to cost-covered tobacco cessation services.
“Governments must act boldly to close remaining gaps, strengthen enforcement, and invest in proven tools,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, WHO Director of Health Promotion. “We call on all countries to accelerate progress and ensure no one is left behind.”
Second-hand smoke, e-cigarette challenges
Second-hand smoke causes around 1.3 million deaths each year. Although 79 countries now have comprehensive smoke-free laws, that figure still leaves two-thirds of the global population unprotected.
The regulation of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, has become more widespread, with 133 countries implementing some form of regulation – up from 122 in 2022. However, over 60 countries still have no legal framework for these products.
Graphic warnings show strongest gains
One of the most significant improvements has been in tobacco warning labels:
- 110 countries now mandate graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging – up from just nine in 2007.
- 25 countries have introduced plain packaging laws, stripping branding from cigarette packs.
Global recognition, but more to do
The report was launched during the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control, which recognised both governments and NGOs making strides in reducing tobacco harm.
“There’s been a sea change since 2007 in how countries fight tobacco, but there is still a long way to go,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries.
Bloomberg Philanthropies has been a major partner in funding global tobacco control efforts since 2007.
As part of the launch, WHO unveiled a new online data portal tracking country-by-country progress on MPOWER indicators from 2007 to 2025. The portal aims to increase transparency and encourage peer learning among nations.
As the world races to meet Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 – reducing premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases by one-third by 2030 – the WHO warns that inaction or complacency could cost millions of lives. “Together, we can end the tobacco epidemic,” Dr Tedros concluded. “But only if we stay united – guided by science, driven by policy, and fuelled by political will.”
