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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report – Must know insights for UPSC Exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report. (Relevance: Global reports released by international organisations such as the WHO are highly relevant for the UPSC exam, as they present a comprehensive image of various issues and India's position with respect to other countries.) Tobacco use remains one of the gravest public health threats the world has ever faced, claiming over eight million lives annually. Of these, more than seven million deaths result from direct tobacco use, according to the Global Burden of Disease study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). For tackling the challenge of high tobacco consumption, health warnings are an effective way to help people quit tobacco use. In this context, knowing the key highlights of the World Health Organisation's Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report, which focuses on measures to warn people about the harms of tobacco, becomes important. 1. The Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report is developed by WHO with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies. It focuses on six proven WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use. 2. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its guidelines provide the foundation for countries to implement and manage tobacco control. To help make this a reality, WHO introduced the MPOWER measures. 3. MPOWER measures are intended to assist in the country-level implementation of effective interventions to reduce the demand for tobacco, contained in the WHO FCTC. MPOWER measures are – 📌M– monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; 📌P– protect people from tobacco smoke; 📌O– offer help to quit tobacco; 📌W– warn about dangers of tobacco; 📌E– enforce bans on tobacco advertising; and 📌R– raise taxes on tobacco products. 4. A total of 110 countries now require these measures — up from just nine in 2007 — protecting 62 per cent of the global population; and 25 countries have adopted plain packaging. 1. The 2025 report focuses on the W measure (warn about the dangers of tobacco) and shows that with 6.1 billion people protected by at least one MPOWER measure at best-practice level many countries continue to make progress in the fight against tobacco. Health warnings and mass media campaigns work best when they are part of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy.-WHO 2. Four countries have now achieved the full MPOWER packaged while a further seven are only one measure away. At the same time 40 countries still have no MPOWER measure at best-practice level. 3. The report reveals that the most striking gains have been in graphic health warnings, one of the key measures under the WHO FCTC. 4. According to the report, India is among the countries identified as having best-practice-level graphic health warning labels in 2024. 5. Of all MPOWER measures, large graphic health warnings on cigarette packages have seen the most progress since 2007 – both in terms of the number of countries and population covered by a best-practice policy. Not only are more countries adopting graphic health warnings, but the average size of warnings has increased from 28 per cent in 2007 to almost 60 per cent in 2024. India has achieved the highest status in O and W (both in 2016) and is in the second highest category of other measures, including M (mass media). Health warnings on cigarette packs are among the largest in the world at 85 per cent. Only 10 countries have a larger graphic health warning. – Dr Vinayak Mohan Prasad (head of the Global Tobacco Control Programme) 6. On the ˋW' measure, India has been in the highest group since 2016. On the 'E' measure, India has banned direct and indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships 7. The WHO report also warned that action is needed to maintain and accelerate progress in tobacco control as rising industry interference challenges tobacco policies and control efforts. 8. Notably, Tobacco tax is least adopted MPOWER measure in India. 1. India is among the six countries that received 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control for prioritizing tobacco cessation approaches to reach a significant number of tobacco users in the country. 2. The National Tobacco Control Cell of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, was presented with the award at the World Conference on Tobacco Control held in Dublin, Ireland, on Monday (23rd June). 3. India was presented the 'O' category award for promoting tobacco cessation. Among the other countries that received the award were Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, Philippines and Ukraine. 1. India has implemented stringent measures to curb tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) across all forms of media, including television, radio, print and digital platforms. 2. To restrict depiction of tobacco use in entertainment media, the Centre introduced the Tobacco-Free Films and Television Rules in 2012, focusing on traditional platforms such as cinema and television. 3. As more people shift towards using digital streaming platforms, India recognized the need to update its tobacco control policies. Coinciding with World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2023, the government introduced an amendment to the 2012 legislation, extending its coverage to over-the-top streaming platforms. With this move, India became the first country in the world to apply tobacco control regulations specifically to digital streaming content. 4. The WHO report said that India is reinforcing its commitment to public health and positioning itself as a pioneer in adapting regulation to evolving media consumption trends. However, the current national TAPS ban can be further strengthened by prohibiting tobacco advertising at points of sale and fully banning tobacco industry sponsorship. 1. Despite widespread awareness of tobacco's health risks, the raw tobacco industry continues to thrive. In 2022, an estimated 5.8 million tonnes of tobacco were produced globally, with China accounting for roughly one-third of this output, according to Statista. 2. In the same year, India and Brazil produced approximately 0.8 million and 0.7 million tonnes of unmanufactured tobacco respectively, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). 3. The world's top 10 largest Tobacco producing countries, as of 2023 are: Source: United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN FAOSTAT) 4. Notably, India is the world's second-largest producer and consumer of unmanufactured tobacco, with a production volume of nearly 770,000 tonnes. Consider the following statements: 1. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2025 is 'Protecting children from tobacco industry interference.' 2. India is the world's largest producer and consumer of unmanufactured tobacco. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (Sources: India conferred with Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control, Top 10 largest tobacco-producing countries: India ranks among top 3, India scores high in graphic health warnings, cessation bans: WHO report on global tobacco use) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
WHO: Malaysia deserves award for tobacco control efforts
A file picture of Dzulkefly receiving the award from WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva, Switzerland on May 20, 2025. – WHO/Pierre Albouy DUBLIN: The World Health Organization (WHO) has "no doubt" that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad will safeguard the public health of Malaysians. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat senior lawyer Kate Lannan said the minister, who was among the recipients of a prestigious WHO award last month, had been "carefully vetted and clearly researched" before being acknowledged for his contributions. "The award is an important recognition of the progress Malaysia (has achieved in tobacco control). "The recipients have done a great job. And, there is no doubt in our minds that the minister will protect public heath in Malaysia. We have every confidence in that," she said when asked to comment on Malaysia issuing a nicotine manufacturing licence to a company after three Health Ministry officials were acknowledged by the global body recently. Lannan was speaking during a press conference at the World Conference on Tobacco Control on Tuesday (June 24). At the opening session of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland on May 19, three Malaysians – Dr Dzulkefly, the Health Ministry's Disease Control Division deputy director Dr Noraryana Hassan and Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) president Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, were honoured with the WHO World No Tobacco Day Award, making it a first for the country. Three days later on May 22, a Nasdaq-listed vape company based in California, the United States, revealed that it had received the "first and only nicotine manufacturing license" from the government that allows it to begin manufacturing nicotine products in Malaysia immediately, causing the ministry to come under fire. Lannan said it is not the role of the Secretariat to take a party to task for elements not specifically covered in the FCTC. "But what this indicates to me is that this is an example of interference by the industry in public health. The Health Minister may not have known about this as there are other ministers involved," she said. On June 2, the ministry said the issuance of interim licence was under the purview of the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. And, while the import, manufacture and distribution of e-cigarette liquids are legal, it will be strictly regulated under the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024. "Any decision related to the import, manufacture and distribution of e-cigarette liquids are made collectively by the relevant government agencies. "The Health Ministry (however) is committed to ensuring maximum enforcement and monitoring to protect the health and safety of the public," it said in a press release.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
WHO lauds India's tobacco control tool of warning labels on cigarette packs: What we did right
Health warnings are an effective way to help people quit tobacco use and WHO has identified India among the countries having the best practices in graphic health warning labels in 2024. The WHO's Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report reveals that the most striking gains have been in graphic health warnings, one of the key measures under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), that make the harms of tobacco impossible to ignore. Currently, 110 countries with a total of five billion people are protected by strong graphic health warnings. This is an increase of 101 countries and 4.7 billion people since 2007. The average size of warnings has increased from 28% in 2007 to almost 60% in 2024. Dr Vinayak Mohan Prasad, head of the Global Tobacco Control Programme, WHO HQ, Geneva told The Indian Express that India had achieved the highest status in O and W categories, O meaning offering help to quit tobacco use and W meaning warning labels. It is in the second highest category for other measures including M, which means monitoring and mass media. 'Health warnings on cigarette packs are among the largest in the world at 85 per cent. Only 10 countries have a larger graphic health warning,' he said. While WHO officials said that adult daily smoking prevalence in India in 2023 was seven per cent, they have not made estimates for smokeless tobacco use. According to Dr Prasad, the prevalence of current tobacco use among adults in the country is trending down and is on track to meet the 2025 NCD GAP target (Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases or NCDs, which includes tobacco control as a way of reducing premature mortality by one-third by 2030). 'However prevalence is still higher than the global average. The largest population (National Family Health Survey 2021) shows 38 per cent of men and 9 per cent of women are current users of tobacco while the global average in 2021 was 35 per cent among men and 8 per cent among women,' Dr Prasad said. He explained that smoking rates were lower than smokeless tobacco use among adults (Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2017 showed 11 per cent smoking and 21 per cent using smokeless tobacco). Among children aged 13-15 (Global Youth Tobacco Survey-2019) 8 per cent are using tobacco (7 per cent smoking and 4 per cent us smokeless tobacco) with little difference between boys and girls. Other than warning labels, India has banned smoking at all indoor public places, but still allows designated smoking rooms at restaurants/drinking facilities/nightclubs with a seating capacity of 30 or more as well as at airports and hotels. The government has banned direct and indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships across all forms of media, including television, radio, print and digital platforms. 'However there is no ban on internet sales and India should completely ban advertising of tobacco products at points of sale,' said Dr Prasad. The WHO report said that India is reinforcing its commitment to public health and positioning itself as a pioneer in adapting regulation to evolving media consumption trends. However, it highlighted how the tobacco tax is the least-adopted measure though it's the most effective and efficient way to reduce tobacco use. In India cigarettes are still affordable as per the report. In 2024 only 15% of the world's population living in 40 countries were protected by tax at 75% or more of the price of the most popular brand of cigarette. (The author is in Dublin on the invitation of Vital Strategies) Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Tobacco control efforts protect 6.1 billion people: WHO Global Tobacco Epidemic report
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday released its report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025, warning that action is needed to maintain and accelerate progress in tobacco control as rising industry interference challenges tobacco policies and control efforts. The report released at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin focuses on the six proven WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use, which claims over 7 million lives a year.(AFP) The report that was released at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin focuses on the six proven WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use, which claims over 7 million lives a year: Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies; Protecting people from tobacco smoke with smoke-free air legislation; Offering help to quit tobacco use; Warning about the dangers of tobacco with pack labels and mass media; Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and Raising taxes on tobacco. Since 2007, 155 countries have implemented at least one of the WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use at best-practice level, according to the report. India data show, the country has achieved complete measures in two of these categories— Offering help to quit tobacco use and Warning about the dangers of tobacco with pack labels and mass media— and moderate measures in the rest of the four categories. Today, over 6.1 billion people, three-quarters of the world's population, are protected by at least one such policy, compared to just 1 billion in 2007, the report said. Four countries have implemented the full MPOWER package: Brazil, Mauritius, the Netherlands (Kingdom of the), and Türkiye. Seven countries are just one measure away from achieving the full implementation of the MPOWER package, signifying the highest level of tobacco control, including Ethiopia, Ireland, Jordan, Mexico, New Zealand, Slovenia and Spain. However, there are major gaps. Forty countries still have no MPOWER measure at best-practice level and more than 30 countries allow cigarette sales without mandatory health warnings. 'Twenty years since the adoption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, we have many successes to celebrate, but the tobacco industry continues to evolve and so must we,' said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general. 'By uniting science, policy and political will, we can create a world where tobacco no longer claims lives, damages economies or steals futures. Together, we can end the tobacco epidemic.' The report reveals that the most striking gains have been in graphic health warnings, one of the key measures under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, that make the harms of tobacco impossible to ignore. Hundred and ten countries now require them — up from just 9 in 2007 — protecting 62% of the global population; and 25 countries have adopted plain packaging. WHO warns, however, that enforcement is inconsistent, and smokeless tobacco packaging remains poorly regulated. 'Despite their effectiveness, 110 countries haven't run anti-tobacco campaigns since 2022. However, 36% of the global population now lives in countries that have run best-practice campaigns, up from just 19% in 2022,' read the report. 'Taxes, quit services and advertising bans have been expanding, but many improvements are needed: Taxation: 134 countries have failed to make cigarettes less affordable. Since 2022, just 3 have increased taxes to the best-practice level. Cessation: Only 33% of people globally have access to cost-covered quit services. Advertising bans: Best-practice bans exist in 68 countries, covering over 25% of the global population.' Around 1.3 million people die from second-hand smoke every year. Today, 79 countries have implemented comprehensive smoke-free environments, covering one-third of the world's population. Since 2022, six additional countries (Cook Islands, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Uzbekistan) have adopted strong smoke-free laws, despite industry resistance, particularly in hospitality venues. There has been a growing trend to regulate the use of e-cigarettes or ENDS, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems. The number of countries regulating or banning ENDS has grown from 122 in 2022 to 133 in 2024, a clear signal of increased attention to these products. However, over 60 countries still lack any regulations on ENDS, the report said. 'Governments must act boldly to close remaining gaps, strengthen enforcement, and invest in the proven tools that save lives. WHO calls on all countries to accelerate progress on MPOWER and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against tobacco,' said Ruediger Krech, director of health promotion, WHO.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
India scores high in graphic health warnings, cessation bans: WHO report on global tobacco use
Health warnings are an effective way to help people quit tobacco use and India is among the countries identified as having best-practice-level graphic health warning labels in 2024, showed a WHO report released on Monday. The World Health Organisation's Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report, which focusses on measures to warn people about the harms of tobacco, revealed that the most striking gains have been in graphic health warnings, one of the key measures under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The report focuses on six proven WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures to reduce tobacco use, which claims over seven million lives a year. A total of 110 countries now require these measures — up from just nine in 2007 — protecting 62 per cent of the global population; and 25 countries have adopted plain packaging. Currently, 110 countries with a total of five billion people are protected by strong graphic health warnings. This is an increase of 101 countries and 4.7 billion people since 2007. Of all MPOWER measures, large graphic health warnings on cigarette packages have seen the most progress since 2007 – both in terms of the number of countries and population covered by a best-practice policy. Not only are more countries adopting graphic health warnings, but the average size of warnings has increased from 28 per cent in 2007 to almost 60 per cent in 2024. Dr Vinayak Mohan Prasad, head of the Global Tobacco Control Programme, at the World Health Organisation's (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, told The Indian Express that India has achieved the highest status in O and W (both in 2016) and is in the second highest category of other measures, including M (mass media). 'Health warnings on cigarette packs are among the largest in the world at 85 per cent. Only 10 countries have a larger graphic health warning,' he said. While WHO officials said daily adult smoking prevalence in India was seven per cent in 2023, they have not made estimates for smokeless tobacco use. According to Dr Prasad, the prevalence of current tobacco use among adults in the country is trending down and is on track to meet the 2025 Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) GAP target. 'However, prevalence is still higher than the global average. The largest population survey (National Family Health Survey 2021) shows 38 per cent of men and nine per cent of women are current users of tobacco while the global average in 2021 was 35 per cent among men and eight per cent among women,' said Dr Prasad. He explained that smoking rates were lower than smokeless tobacco use among adults. Among children aged 13-15 (Global Youth Tobacco Survey-2019), eight per cent are using tobacco with little difference between boys and girls. Where India stands Meanwhile, India has banned smoking at all indoor public places, but still allows designated smoking rooms at restaurants/drinking facilities/nightclubs with a seating capacity of 30 or more as well as at airports and hotels. On the ˋW' measure, India has been in the highest group since 2016. Large pictorial warnings (85 per cent) are required on tobacco product packages and India should also consider adopting plain packaging, said Dr Prasad. On the 'E' measure, India has banned direct and indirect tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorships. However, there is no ban on internet sales and India should completely ban advertising of tobacco products at points of sale, the expert urged. The WHO report also warned that action is needed to maintain and accelerate progress in tobacco control as rising industry interference challenges tobacco policies and control efforts. At a press conference, Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion, WHO, said significant strides have been made in protecting people from the harms of tobacco. 'Today, over 6.1 billion people, three -quarters of the global population, are covered by at least one life saving policy. Brazil, Mauritius, The Netherlands and Turkey have implemented the full MPOWER package. Seven more, including Ireland , Ethiopia and Mexico, are just one step away,' said Dr Krech. However, Dr Krech also cautioned about some of the warning signs as 134 countries have failed to make cigarettes less affordable and the spread of e-cigarettes and tobacco products are being aggressively marketed to youngsters. 'We are calling on governments to act boldly and raise taxes to best practice levels,' he urged. Tobacco tax least adopted MPOWER measure in India India has implemented stringent measures to curb tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) across all forms of media, including television, radio, print and digital platforms. To restrict depiction of tobacco use in entertainment media, the Centre introduced the Tobacco-Free Films and Television Rules in 2012, focusing on traditional platforms such as cinema and television. As more people shift towards using digital streaming platforms, India recognized the need to update its tobacco control policies. Coinciding with World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2023, the government introduced an amendment to the 2012 legislation, extending its coverage to over-the-top streaming platforms. With this move, India became the first country in the world to apply tobacco control regulations specifically to digital streaming content. The WHO report said that India is reinforcing its commitment to public health and positioning itself as a pioneer in adapting regulation to evolving media consumption trends. However, the current national TAPS ban can be further strengthened by prohibiting tobacco advertising at points of sale and fully banning tobacco industry sponsorship. Tobacco tax is the least-adopted MPOWER measure, despite raising tobacco prices continuing to be the most effective and efficient way to reduce tobacco use. In India, cigarettes are still affordable, as per the report. In 2024, only 15 per cent of the world's population living in 40 countries were protected by tax at 75 per cent or more of the price of the most popular brand of cigarette. Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
