The number of people using tobacco has dropped to its lowest level in decades — proof that global health policies and awareness campaigns are saving millions of lives.
“Millions of people are stopping, or not taking up, tobacco use thanks to tobacco control efforts by countries around the world,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
According to the latest WHO report, the number of tobacco users worldwide has fallen from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024, marking a reduction of 120 million people since 2010. Women have led this progress, with smoking rates dropping from 11% in 2010 to just 6.6% in 2024. Many countries are now on track to cut tobacco use by one-third by 2025, showing that persistent public-health action can lead to lasting global change.
