- January 28, 2024
India on track to achieve 30% reduction in tobacco use prevalence by 2025 | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: India is on track to achieve a 30% relative reduction in tobacco use prevalence by 2025, relative to 2o10, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated.
In a report released last week, the UN health body has shared statistics which show tobacco use prevalence in India for both men and women was estimated to be 38.3% and that is projected to reduce to 21.8% which turns out to be an expected relative reduction of 43%.
The WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2013-20 (NCD GAP), since extended to 2030, includes a target for reducing the global prevalence of tobacco use (smoked and smokeless tobacco) by 30% by the year 2025, relative to 2010.
The latest WHO report uses data from member states to monitor progress towards the target, and to project the likelihood of achieving it.
Other than India, only Nepal is on track to achieve a 30% relative reduction in the South-East Asia Region. The tobacco use prevalence in Nepal was estimated to be 44% and that is projected to reduce to 25.7% which turns out to be an expected relative reduction of 41.7%. Globally there are 1.25 billion adult tobacco users, according to the latest estimates in the WHO report. It shows that 150 countries are successfully reducing tobacco use.
However, according to the UN health body, while the numbers have steadily decreased over the years the world will make it to a 25% relative reduction in tobacco use by 2025, missing the voluntary global goal of 30% reduction from the 2010 baseline. “Only 56 countries globally will reach this goal, down four countries since the last report in 2021,” the report says.
Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, chief executive of the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) said India has demonstrated a steely resolve to contain the menace of tobacco through a comprehensive control strategy that combines several demand and supply reduction measures.
“India, as a signatory to FCTC, is actively involved in combating the menace of tobacco with renewed fervour. From imposing a complete ban on E-cigarettes, under the guise of preventing potential health risks to India’s youth, to bringing the new age OTT Platforms under the realms of ‘Films and TV Rules’ with the same intent, the government has exhibited complete will in protecting the youth of our nation. As envisioned, a relative 30 per cent reduction in the prevalence of current tobacco use is possible through concerted efforts in the right direction, the significant of those could be strengthening tobacco control laws, ensuring its enforcement, decreasing affordability of tobacco products through tax measures, improving easy access to cessation services, effectively regulating access to tobacco products through vendor licensing, building evidence and highlighting best practices,” she said.
In a report released last week, the UN health body has shared statistics which show tobacco use prevalence in India for both men and women was estimated to be 38.3% and that is projected to reduce to 21.8% which turns out to be an expected relative reduction of 43%.
The WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2013-20 (NCD GAP), since extended to 2030, includes a target for reducing the global prevalence of tobacco use (smoked and smokeless tobacco) by 30% by the year 2025, relative to 2010.
The latest WHO report uses data from member states to monitor progress towards the target, and to project the likelihood of achieving it.
Other than India, only Nepal is on track to achieve a 30% relative reduction in the South-East Asia Region. The tobacco use prevalence in Nepal was estimated to be 44% and that is projected to reduce to 25.7% which turns out to be an expected relative reduction of 41.7%. Globally there are 1.25 billion adult tobacco users, according to the latest estimates in the WHO report. It shows that 150 countries are successfully reducing tobacco use.
However, according to the UN health body, while the numbers have steadily decreased over the years the world will make it to a 25% relative reduction in tobacco use by 2025, missing the voluntary global goal of 30% reduction from the 2010 baseline. “Only 56 countries globally will reach this goal, down four countries since the last report in 2021,” the report says.
Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, chief executive of the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) said India has demonstrated a steely resolve to contain the menace of tobacco through a comprehensive control strategy that combines several demand and supply reduction measures.
“India, as a signatory to FCTC, is actively involved in combating the menace of tobacco with renewed fervour. From imposing a complete ban on E-cigarettes, under the guise of preventing potential health risks to India’s youth, to bringing the new age OTT Platforms under the realms of ‘Films and TV Rules’ with the same intent, the government has exhibited complete will in protecting the youth of our nation. As envisioned, a relative 30 per cent reduction in the prevalence of current tobacco use is possible through concerted efforts in the right direction, the significant of those could be strengthening tobacco control laws, ensuring its enforcement, decreasing affordability of tobacco products through tax measures, improving easy access to cessation services, effectively regulating access to tobacco products through vendor licensing, building evidence and highlighting best practices,” she said.
