WHO Reveals 1 In 5 Adults Still Addicted To Tobacco

Tobacco illustration. (Pexels/Thibault Lucyx)

The tobacco use epidemic is far from over. One in five adults is still addicted to tobacco, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), quoted from its official website on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

The report revealed that the number of tobacco users had fallen from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024. Since 2010, the number of tobacco users has fallen by 120 million, a relative decline of 27 percent.

However, tobacco is still an addiction to one in five adults around the world, sparking millions of deaths that can actually be prevented annually.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that the number of people smoking is decreasing, one of which is thanks to tobacco control by various countries in the world.

"Millions of people stop, or no longer use tobacco, thanks to efforts to control tobacco by countries around the world," Tedros said.

However, the tobacco industry emerged with various new products targeting young people. This is what causes the use of tobacco to be still high in the world.

"In response to this rapid progress, the tobacco industry is fighting back with new nicotine products, which are aggressively targeting young people," he added.

The various products related to tobacco that are increasingly popular are e-cigarettes, nicotine bags, heated tobacco products, and others. This endangers health and what is more worrying is the health of the younger generation.

Therefore, WHO recommends that tobacco-related regulations be tightened in every country. The government of each country is expected to pay special attention to this problem.

"The government must act faster and stronger in implementing proven tobacco control policies," Tedros concluded.