WHO Report: Over 6 Billion Protected by Anti-Tobacco Policies, but Critical Gaps Remain
WHO report
DUBLIN — The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its 2025 Global Tobacco Epidemic report, revealing that 6.1 billion people—three-quarters of the world’s population—are now covered by at least one major tobacco control policy. This marks a massive expansion from just 1 billion people protected in 2007.
The findings, tracked through the WHO’s six-part “MPOWER” framework, show significant progress in graphic health warnings, which are now mandated in 110 countries. Additionally, six nations recently passed comprehensive smoke-free laws despite heavy tobacco industry lobbying, extending vital protections against second-hand smoke, which kills 1.3 million non-smokers annually. The report also notes a rising global momentum to regulate electronic cigarettes (ENDS), with 133 countries now enforcing restrictions or complete bans on the products.
Despite these achievements, the WHO warns of critical stagnation in economic and supportive measures. Progress has plateaued on tobacco taxation, as 134 countries have failed to make cigarettes less affordable, and only three nations have raised taxes to recommended levels since 2022. Furthermore, a staggering 110 countries have failed to run anti-tobacco media campaigns in recent years, 40 nations still lack a single high-standard control policy, and over 60 countries leave electronic cigarettes entirely unregulated.
(Source: World Health Organization [WHO] / Pan American Health Organization [PAHO] Official Report, 23 June 2025: “Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025”)
