Launch of reports on tobacco control

WHO/Europe published a report looking at the latest data and information on tobacco use and the implementation of tobacco control in the WHO European Region. The report, entitled “Taking stock: tobacco control in the WHO European Region in 2017”, was launched during an event in Warsaw, Poland, on 19 September 2017.

WHO and the Polish Ministry of Health jointly organized the event, which also celebrated the launch of the new “WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic 2017”.

During the event, Dr Gauden Galea, Director of the Division of Noncommunicable Diseases and Promoting Health through the Life-course at WHO/Europe, highlighted that “Progress has been made in tobacco control in Europe, but it is not enough. Countries in the Region must demonstrate a more comprehensive approach to implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.”

He continued by emphasizing that “Tobacco control is good for the public’s health and well-being and for the economy, and countries should be showing leadership by reducing the availability of all tobacco products, increasing their price and restricting all forms of marketing and promotion.”

Tobacco use continues to kill millions of people each year. Across the Region, 28% of the adult population smokes. In addition to causing illness and death, tobacco is a driver of inequity. Effective tobacco control through implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is crucial to stopping this and realizing the vision of a tobacco-free generation.

Current trends in the Region suggest that tobacco use is not reducing as quickly as it should in order to meet the globally agreed targets. There is a great deal of variation between and within countries, and a long way to go to reach full implementation of the WHO FCTC.