India has second highest number of smokers in the world
With 106 million smokers aged 15 or above, India stands next to China in the winner podium, which (China) has the highest number of smokers in the world. Indonesia ranks third with 74 million smokers out of the world's 1.1 billion. As many as 200 million of the world's 367 million smokeless tobacco users are in India, the report (2016 estimates) highlighted. Here's more.
South-East Asia has the largest number of smokeless tobacco users
The WHO estimates that, worldwide, there are at least 367 million smokeless tobacco users aged 15 years or over. More males use smokeless tobacco products (237 million) than females (129 million). Although smokeless tobacco is used in all regions, the WHO South-East Asian Region has by far the largest number of users (301 million), representing 82% of all users worldwide.
Reducing tobacco demand and related deaths lagging behind commitments
Reducing tobacco demand and related illness is lagging behind global and national commitments to reduce tobacco use by 30% among people aged 15 and older. If the trend continues, the world will only achieve a 22% reduction by 2025. Tobacco use has declined markedly since 2000, but the reduction is insufficient to meet global targets to protect people from death and certain diseases.
WHO to highlight links between tobacco use and cardiovascular diseases
WHO's new Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Smoking 2000-2025 shows that worldwide, 27% smoked tobacco in 2000, compared to 20% in 2016. Tobacco kills over 7mn people each year, despite the steady reduction. On the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day, WHO has joined hands with the World Heart Federation to highlight the link between tobacco and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
People aren't aware tobacco also causes heart disease: WHO Director-General
Tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure are major causes of CVDs, including heart attacks and stroke, contributing to approximately 3 million deaths per year. "Most people know that using tobacco causes cancer and lung disease, but many people aren't aware that tobacco also causes heart disease and stroke the world's leading killers," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
Make all indoor public and work places completely smoke-free: WHO
In China, over 60% of people and more than half of adults in India and Indonesia are unaware that smoking can cause heart attacks, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey. "Make all indoor public and work places completely smoke-free and promote use of tobacco package warnings that demonstrate the health risks of tobacco," WHO Director for the Prevention of NCDs Douglas Bettcher said.
Governments have the power in their hands: WHO's Bettcher
"Governments have the power in their hands to protect their citizens from suffering needlessly from heart disease," WHO Director for the Prevention of NCDs Douglas Bettcher said.
