Summary

The World Health Organization (WHO) has presented a working report on global tobacco control efforts. Experts analyzed the effectiveness of implementing six recommended measures: • monitoring tobacco consumption levels and conducting preventive initiatives; • adopting legislation to create smoke-free public spaces; • providing assistance for smoking cessation; • informing the public about the dangers of tobacco through packaging and media; • enforcing laws banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; • increasing tobacco taxes. Between 2007 and 2025, 155 countries implemented at least one of these policy recommendations, and 110 countries adopted mandatory graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging. Four countries — Brazil, Mauritius, the Netherlands, and Turkey — have implemented the full set of measures. Despite these efforts, the practical effectiveness of anti-tobacco initiatives remains limited. For example, 110 countries have not conducted anti-tobacco campaigns since 2022, 134 countries have made no significant changes to tobacco pricing policies, and advertising bans are in place in only 68 countries.