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Facts and Figures

Global burden of tobacco use
Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in the world today. Tobacco-related illnesses already kill 5.4 million people a year. If current patterns persist, smoking will kill more than 8 million a year by 2030, of which more than 80% will occur in low- and middle-income countries.
The cost of tobacco use
Tobacco growth and use poses a heavy burden on governments and society as a whole. Non-smokers also pay for the costs of smoking, primarily in the form of higher health insurances and medical costs related to second-hand smoke, leading to higher taxes and higher prices for healthcare products and services.
Exposure to tobacco smoke
More than 79,000 adults died in 2002 as a result of passive smoking in 25 countries of the EU. A total of just over 19,000 of the deaths were among non-smokers.
Reproductive health and child and infant health
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is an important cause of ill health for both mother and fetus.
Tobacco and Poverty
Studies have shown that smoking is becoming increasingly concentrated in the lower socioeconomic groups. Tobacco control measures can help to decrease income and health disparity among the population.
Tobacco in low- and middle-income countries
Tobacco-related illnesses already kill 5.4 million people a year globally. If current patterns persist, smoking will kill more than 8 million a year by 2030, of which more than 80% will occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Key figures on European smoking prevalence
The information provided on this page was taken from the WHO Report on the global tobacco epidemic. Information on smoking prevalence and key tobacco control policies is provided to all EU Member States.