The WHO South-East Asia region saw the highest reduction in tobacco use, but still accounts for a quarter of global tobacco users. Photo credit: Ahsanjaya, Pexels
The latest WHO Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Use 2000–2024 and Projections 2025–2030 shows that while tobacco use continues to decline worldwide, progress varies significantly across regions. The WHO South-East Asia Region leads global reductions, while the WHO European Region maintains the highest prevalence and is projected to remain so for years.
Globally, the number of tobacco users fell from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.20 billion in 2024, largely due to strong tobacco-control measures. In South-East Asia, over 322 million adults and 8.6 million adolescents still use tobacco.
According to Dr. Catharina Boehme, officer-in-charge, WHO South-East Asia, strong political commitment, comprehensive policies, and community engagement helped the Region achieve a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2021—4 years ahead of the global schedule.
South-East Asia, once the global hotspot for tobacco, saw prevalence among men drop from 70.1% in 2000 to 37.4% in 2024, and among women from 38% to 9.3%, representing one of the fastest declines worldwide. Despite these gains, the Region still accounts for a quarter of global tobacco users, including 288 million smokeless tobacco users (80% of the global total), and an estimated 1.8 million adult and 500,000 adolescent e-cigarette users.
In Europe, adult tobacco prevalence fell from 49.8% of men and 22.3% of women in 2000 to 30.8% and 17.4% in 2024, respectively. The Region is now home to over 40% of the world’s female smokers. Among adolescents aged 13–15, e-cigarette use is particularly high at 14.3%, more than triple the adult rate. Kristina Mauer-Stender, WHO/Europe regional advisor for tobacco control, warned that marketing strategies using flavors, appealing packaging, and social media promotion are increasing youth exposure to nicotine. Overall, 11.6% of European adolescents use some form of tobacco, with cigarette use highest among girls (8.7%).
Globally, the South-East Asia Region accounts for over half of the projected decline in tobacco users—69 million fewer between 2010 and 2025. Eleven countries in Europe have met or are on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.a target of a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2025, while others are close.