Tobacco control
Tobacco use is linked to at least 20 cancer types. It is the leading preventable cause of cancer, accounting for some 2.5 million deaths due to cancer globally, and costs an estimated USD 1.4 trillion to economies. New products, such as e-cigarettes, are designed to capture a new generation of consumers.
Tobacco kills eight million people worldwide each year, mainly in low- and middle-income countries where 80% of the world’s smokers live. Second-hand smoking further causes 1.2 million deaths per year among non-smokers.
Tobacco use is a leading cause of multiple cancers such as oral cancers, lung, liver, stomach, bowel and ovarian cancers, as well as some types of leukaemia. It contributes to 25% of all cancer deaths globally, an estimated 2.5 million per year.
Quitting at any age can make an immense difference for the user, increasing life expectancy and improving the quality of life.
Tobacco use burdens the global economy, with an estimated USD 1.4 trillion in healthcare costs and lost productivity each year. Tobacco also impedes the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and has a negative impact on economies, women’s health, the environment, and climate change. Its production is also linked to human rights abuses and child labour.
Image: Diagram based on the “Tobacco use, smoking infographic” by the CDC – click on image to view larger.
What is tobacco control?
Tobacco control aims at reducing the use of tobacco and the serious health risks and mortality it causes through policies, laws and education. It has long been a priority of UICC’s advocacy efforts in collaboration with members and partners. Tobacco control is also one of the 16 essential health services monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) to achieve universal health coverage (UHC).
It is essential for the promotion of better health as part of UHC that people understand the risk of smoking and tobacco use. Governments and policy makers have a clear responsibility to protect them from harm caused by tobacco.
– Sonali Johnson, Head of Knowledge, Advocacy and Policy, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day takes place every 31 May to raise awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocate for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption worldwide.
Regulations and policies
In order to stop the global tobacco epidemic, an international treaty entered into force in 2005: the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). WHO defines it as “an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health. There are currently 180 parties to the convention. The treaty deals with topics such as demand-side reduction measures, supply-side reduction measures, protection of the environment, protection from tobacco industry interests, implementation of multi-sectoral tobacco control strategies, nicotine addiction and exposure to second-hand smoke, public awareness, illicit trade and measures such as tax increases or ban advertising.
Photo credit: WHO FCTC/P.Virot
The role of UICC and its members
UICC and its members encourage governments and policy makers to adopt and effectively implement the WHO FCTC treaty and by raising awareness of the risks related to the use of tobacco.
The tobacco industry continues to promote tobacco use with very strong and powerful marketing campaigns targeted particularly at youth populations. It is therefore very important to counter the dissemination of misinformation and to raise awareness about this complex topic encompassing several health and socio-economic domains. This includes education about e-cigarettes and emerging heated tobacco products.
UICC is concerned by the rise in the prevalence of youth vaping and calls for strict regulation of the ingredients, age limits and other aspects related to the sales and distribution of e-cigarettes. There is a growing body of research that shows that they are unhealthy products designed to be addictive and facilitate first-time tobacco smoking.
UICC podcast on tobacco control
UICC focuses its efforts on three key areas:
Tax increase has been linked to a decrease in smoking prevalence in countries at all income levels. [1] A 10% increase in price, for instance, leads to a 4-5% decrease in cigarette demand, making them less affordable to smokers particularly in low-income settings. Between 2008 and 2020, the number of countries applying the recommended 75% excise tax on retail price rose from 23 to 40, [2] covering one billion people. Unfortunately, many governments are still reluctant to increase taxes because the tobacco lobby claims that tax increases will cause declines in revenues or an increase in illicit trade.
Banning advertising, promotion and marketing has been shown to lower the consumption of tobacco products. There are direct forms of promotion via television, radio, press and social media; and indirect via activities such as free distribution, discounts, sponsorships and corporate social responsibility programmes. Every year, the tobacco industry spends millions in advertising and marketing. [3] For instance, in 2017, the industry spent USD one million per hour in the US alone to maintain their consumer basis, discouraging smokers to quit and recruiting new users. By banning tobacco advertisement, we can prevent tobacco consumption being seen as a social norm. This also includes a ban on the marketing of e-cigarettes to youth.
Encourage the development of smoke-free places, to protect from second-hand smoke
Second-hand smoke kills 1.2 million people per year. Children and teenagers are particularly sensitive to it: 65,000 children die each year from diseases attributable to second-hand smoke. Smoke-free laws are relatively easy to implement and generally well accepted by the public. Smoke free public places do not harm businesses including the hospitality sector. However, only 24% of the world’s population is protected by complete smoking bans in public places, workplaces and on public transportation. Implementing and developing smoke-free areas also helps smokers to quit.
*WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2021.
General
Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of cancer and stopping smoking is one of the best ways to reduce our risk of developing cancer. @uicc
Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don’t quit. Prioritizing your health by avoiding tobacco can greatly improve your chances of a longer, healthier life. @uicc @WHO
Tobacco kills 8 million people worldwide each year, mainly in low- and middle-income countries where 80% of the world’s smokers live. @uicc @WHO
Tobacco use burdens the global economy with an estimated USD 2 trillion in healthcare costs and lost productivity each year.@uicc @WHO
Tobacco use is more addictive than opioids, alcohol, or cocaine. According to the @CDC, symptoms of serious nicotine addiction can occur after only days or weeks of experimenting with smoking. @uicc
In 2022, scenes featuring tobacco increased by 110% in popular recent shows among 15- to 24-year-olds, often portraying smoking as glamorous and cool. According to @TruthInitiative young people are up to 3x more likely to start vaping when exposed to smoking imagery on screen. @uicc
Smoking among youth remains prevalent and is increasing in certain nations. Worldwide, an estimated 38 million boys and girls aged 13–15 consumed tobacco products. (CDN)
Nicotine can harm developing brains, with younger users facing a higher likelihood of addiction, greater difficulty in quitting, and potentially an increased risk of addiction to other substances in the future. @uicc @TruthInitiative
Tobacco content, including branded promotional content and misinformation about tobacco and nicotine, is commonplace on social media. @uicc
Digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which are mostly unregulated, are key marketing channels for tobacco companies looking to evade advertising regulations.
All forms of tobacco use are harmful. There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco. Quitting tobacco at any age can will start to improve your health and quality of life almost immediately and add years to your life expectancy. @uicc @WHO
Lung cancer contributes to 1.8 million deaths globally per year. Two-thirds – 1.2 million deaths – are related to tobacco smoking. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of lung cancer. @uicc @WHO
Tobacco taxation is one of the most cost-effective measures for controlling tobacco use and preventing cancer. According to @WHO, increasing tobacco prices by 10% cuts consumption by 4-5%. @uicc
Tobacco industry
In 2018, the six biggest tobacco producers made USD 55 billion in profit. That's more than the 9 of the leading food and beverage companies combined. This profit shows how the tobacco industry depends on gaining new customers to keep making money, relying on addiction to maintain their profits. @TobaccoAtlas
The tobacco industry relies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions – from building schools to offering disaster aid – to improve their public image and convince governments to limit taxes and restrictions on their products. @TobaccoAtlas
Tobacco taxes are the best way to prevent tobacco consumption, but they're not used enough. By raising taxes, tobacco products get more expensive, so fewer young people start smoking, more consumers quit, and overall tobacco use goes down. @TobaccoAtlas
Latest UICC news and blog articles on tobacco control
Philip Morris-funded foundation changes name but maintains pro-tobacco agenda
The power of tobacco taxation: reducing cigarette consumption and saving lives in East Africa
Efforts to improve early cancer detection in low-resource settings: spotlight on lung cancer
World No Tobacco Day is an annual awareness day taking place on 31 May.
Last update
Tuesday 18 March 2025