Only 5.4% of the world’s population is covered by comprehensive smoke-free laws, according to the second MPower report by the World Health Organization Tobacco Free Initiative.

Only 5.4% of the world’s population is covered by comprehensive smoke-free laws, according to the second MPower report by the World Health Organization Tobacco Free Initiative.

 

The MPower report was launched on 9 December in Istanbul. Read more...

 

WHO Tobacco Free Initiative Launches Second MPower report

 

View the report >

Earlier today, the WHO released the 2009 WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, detailing progress in key areas of tobacco control as reported by individual governments. According to the report, only 5.4% of the world's population was covered by comprehensive smoke-free laws in 2008, up from 3.1% in 2007. This means that 154 million more people are no longer exposed to the harms of tobacco smoke in work places, restaurants, bars and other indoor public places.  In spite of this progress, 94% of people remain unprotected by comprehensive smoke-free laws. Smoke-free environments the focus of the report because of the harm of second-hand smoke, which causes about 600,000 premature deaths per year, countless crippling and disfiguring illnesses and economic losses in the tens of billions of dollars per year. The report devotes particular attention to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control's Article 8, which addresses protection from exposure to tobacco smoke. The Framework Convention, which took effect in 2005, is ratified by nearly 170 countries.

Key findings of the report

• Five more countries –– Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia and Mauritius ––  met the best practices for health warnings on cigarette packages.
• Three more countries –– Israel, Romania and the United Arab Emirates –– offered comprehensive help to quit.
• Only one country –– Panama –– joined the small group of countries that bans all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. More than 90% of people lack protection from tobacco industry marketing.
• Six more countries –– Czech Republic, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, the Netherlands and Seychelles –– levied tobacco taxes higher than 75% of retail price.
• Of the world's 100 most populous cities, 22 are smoke-free.

Country-specific advocacy resources available

Based on information in the report, the Framework Convention Alliance has produced a global report to highlight progress – or lack of progress – on smokefree air since the last report, as well as individual status reports on virtually every WHO member country. 

We encourage you to send these reports to press for greater implementation of tobacco control policies in your country.

The documents can be found at the following addresses:

1. Individual country status reports, which are forms so that the top narrative section can be individualized by each country. For Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam
2. Individual country status reports, which are forms so that the top narrative section can be individualized by each country for the rest of the world
3. The global smokefree report, in all six UN languages

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids statement and links to country fact sheets >

Read our Tobacco page for other resources on tobacco control >