Report on Tobacco Control and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Key Facts on Tobacco Use and Impact

• Tobacco use results in the death of up to half of its users who do not quit. (1–3)
• Annually, tobacco causes over 7 million deaths worldwide, including approximately 1.6 million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. (4)
• Approximately 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users reside in low- and middle-income countries.
• To combat the tobacco epidemic, 183 WHO Member States have ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) since 2003.
• The WHO MPOWER measures align with the WHO FCTC and have demonstrated effectiveness in saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.

Overview of the Tobacco Epidemic and SDG Relevance

The tobacco epidemic represents one of the most significant public health threats globally, causing over 7 million deaths each year and contributing to disability and chronic diseases. (4) All forms of tobacco use are harmful, with no safe exposure level. The widespread use of cigarettes, waterpipe tobacco, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and emerging products such as heated tobacco and electronic cigarettes exacerbates health risks.

Notably, 80% of tobacco users live in low- and middle-income countries, where tobacco-related illnesses impose a heavy burden and contribute to poverty by diverting household resources from essential needs. This situation directly challenges SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 1 (No Poverty), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

The economic impact includes substantial healthcare costs and loss of human capital due to morbidity and premature mortality, affecting sustainable development and economic growth (SDG 8).

Key Measures to Reduce Tobacco Demand and Their Alignment with SDGs

1. Surveillance and Monitoring

Effective surveillance is critical to understanding the tobacco epidemic and tailoring interventions. Nearly half of the global population participates in nationally representative surveys on tobacco use among adults and adolescents, supporting SDG 3.4 (Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases).

More on monitoring tobacco use

2. Protection from Second-Hand Smoke

Second-hand smoke exposure causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and leads to approximately 1.6 million premature deaths annually. Comprehensive smoke-free laws protect over one-third of the global population, advancing SDG 3.9 (Reduce deaths from hazardous chemicals and pollution).

More on second-hand smoke

3. Support for Tobacco Cessation

Most smokers aware of tobacco’s dangers wish to quit. Counseling and medication can double quitting success rates. However, only 31 countries provide national cessation services with cost coverage, highlighting the need for expanded access to meet SDG 3 targets.

More on quitting tobacco

4. Pictorial Health Warnings and Mass Media Campaigns

• Graphic health warnings covering at least 50% of tobacco packaging are implemented in 110 countries, protecting 62% of the global population.
• Strong anti-tobacco mass media campaigns have reached 2.9 billion people in 36 countries within the last two years.

These measures contribute to SDG 3.5 (Strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse).

More on tobacco health warnings

5. Bans on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS)

Complete bans on TAPS exist in 68 countries, covering over a quarter of the global population. These bans reduce tobacco initiation and encourage cessation, supporting SDG 3.4 and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

More on tobacco advertising bans

6. Tobacco Taxation

Increasing tobacco taxes is the most cost-effective intervention to reduce tobacco use, especially among youth and low-income groups. A 10% price increase reduces consumption by 4-5%. However, only 41 countries have taxes constituting at least 75% of retail tobacco prices, indicating room for progress towards SDG 3.4 and SDG 1.

More on tobacco taxes

7. Combating Illicit Tobacco Trade

Illicit tobacco trade accounts for approximately 10% of global tobacco consumption, posing health, economic, and security challenges. The WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade is a critical supply-side measure to reduce tobacco use and its consequences, advancing SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

More on eliminating the illicit trade of tobacco products

8. Addressing Newer Nicotine and Tobacco Products

• Heated tobacco products (HTPs) and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, contain addictive nicotine and harmful toxicants.
• Evidence indicates these products are harmful to health, with potential risks to cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and adverse effects on fetal development.
• Nicotine pouches, often marketed as “tobacco-free,” also pose health risks.

Regulation and public awareness of these products are essential to protect public health and achieve SDG 3.

More on heated tobacco products
More on e-cigarettes

WHO Response and the MPOWER Strategy

The tobacco industry’s interests conflict fundamentally with public health goals. Tobacco products cause addiction, disease, death, and social harm, including poverty. WHO combats these challenges through the WHO FCTC, an evidence-based treaty with 182 Parties representing over 90% of the global population.

Since 2007, WHO has implemented the MPOWER package to scale up demand reduction measures consistent with the WHO FCTC, directly contributing to multiple SDGs, especially SDG 3.

The Six MPOWER Measures:

1. Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies.
2. Protect people from tobacco smoke.
3. Offer help to quit tobacco use.
4. Warn about the dangers of tobacco.
5. Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
6. Raise taxes on tobacco products.

Continuous monitoring of MPOWER implementation informs progress towards global tobacco control targets and SDG achievement.

More on MPOWER

References

• (1) Doll R, Peto R, Boreham J, Sutherland I. Mortality in relation to smoking: 50 years’ observations on male British doctors. BMJ. 2004 Jun 26;328(7455):1519.
• (2) Banks, E., Joshy, G., Weber, M.F. et al. Tobacco smoking and all-cause mortality in a large Australian cohort study: findings from a mature epidemic with current low smoking prevalence. BMC Med 13, 38 (2015).
• (3) Siddiqi, K., Husain, S., Vidyasagaran, A. et al. Global burden of disease due to smokeless tobacco consumption in adults: an updated analysis of data from 127 countries. BMC Med 18, 222 (2020).
• (4) Global Burden of Disease 2023. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation; 2025 (https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/).
• (5) WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2030. WHO, Geneva, 2024. Link

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on reducing tobacco use and its health impacts, directly relating to improving health and reducing premature mortality.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Tobacco use contributes to poverty by diverting household spending from basic needs.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The burden of tobacco-related illness is heaviest in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting inequalities in health outcomes.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Addressing illicit trade of tobacco products relates to sustainable consumption and production patterns.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) represents international cooperation and partnerships.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.
   • Target 3.a: Strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
2. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce poverty by ensuring access to basic needs, which tobacco spending undermines.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote social, economic and political inclusion of all, including vulnerable groups affected by tobacco use.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes, including tobacco products and their illicit trade.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.16: Enhance global partnerships for sustainable development, exemplified by WHO FCTC treaty adoption and implementation.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Prevalence of Tobacco Use
   • Regular nationally representative surveys of tobacco use among adults and adolescents measure tobacco consumption trends.
2. Mortality and Morbidity Rates
   • Number of deaths attributable to tobacco use (over 7 million annually) and diseases caused by tobacco.
3. Coverage of Tobacco Control Measures
   • Proportion of countries implementing comprehensive cessation services (31 countries).
   • Percentage of population covered by graphic health warnings (62% in 110 countries).
   • Proportion of countries with bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (68 countries).
   • Proportion of countries with tobacco taxes at or above 75% of retail price (41 countries).
   • Percentage of population protected by comprehensive smoke-free laws (over one third in 79 countries).
4. Illicit Trade Indicators
   • Estimated proportion of illicit tobacco products consumed globally (1 in 10 cigarettes).
5. Implementation of WHO FCTC and MPOWER Measures
   • Number of countries party to WHO FCTC (183 countries).
   • Monitoring progress on MPOWER measures since 2007.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: who.int