Global Efforts to Reduce Tobacco Usage: WHO Report

According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 28, the latest findings indicate that 150 countries worldwide have successfully reduced tobacco use in the past 20 years. The global smoking rate among adults has decreased from one-third to one-fifth. Brazil and the Netherlands have seen success in lowering smoking rates through implementing these measures, with Latin American countries experiencing a decline of 35% and European countries approaching their target of 30%.

According to Zhanar Karmakova, Deputy Chief of the National Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, despite a 9% decrease in smoking rates in Kazakhstan in 2019 compared to 2014, the number of adult smokers in the country is still expected to reach 2.9 million, indicating persistent challenges.

According to reports, while smoking rates among men in Kazakhstan are decreasing, rates among women are increasing. The use of nicotine-containing products, including e-cigarettes, has caught the attention of young people. A national survey on the health behaviors of school-age children in Kazakhstan revealed that 9.8% of teenagers have tried e-cigarettes at least once. In order to protect the next generation, the World Health Organization has designated this year's World No Tobacco Day theme as intervention against the tobacco industry targeting children.

According to predictions, the European region of the World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to become the highest tobacco-consuming region globally by the year 2030, with the proportion of female smokers reaching twice the global average. In response, the WHO is strongly urging countries to enhance their tobacco control policies and strategies.