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Press Release WHO/44 - 30 May 1994

WORLD NO-TOBACCO DAY 1994:
OVER ONE BILLION SMOKERS IN THE WORLD
        New estimates prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO)
show that there are 1.1 billion cigarette smokers in the world. On
the occasion of World No-Tobacco Day, WHO warns that if current
smoking patterns persist, about half a billion people currently alive
will be killed by tobacco, and about half of those, 250 million
people, will die in middle age.
        In attempting to combat this growing epidemic, WHO carries out
a number of promotional activities, including sponsorship of World
No-Tobacco Day, 31 May every year.  This year, the theme of World No-
Tobacco Day is "The media and tobacco: Getting the health message
across."
        In his appeal to the media to encourage them to support WHO's
efforts in the battle against smoking, Dr Hiroshi Nakajima,
Director-General of WHO, stresses that "Countries that have recognized
the vital importance of public information are now seeing the
beginnings of a decline in tobacco consumption and of a reduction in
the incidence of some diseases caused by smoking."
        "The choice of the slogan for this year reflects the will of
our Organization to draw attention to the fact that public
information is a vital component of WHO's Tobacco or Health
programme", said Dr Nakajima, who concluded his message with the
following words: "I am confident that this year's World No-Tobacco
Day will parallel the success of the previous Days and will secure the
unrelenting support of the media for the efforts of our Tobacco or
Health Programme to prevent smoking. It is through this kind of
perseverance, shared by all our partners, that we shall attain our
objectives. The results already achieved show that we are on the
right path."

        The tobacco epidemic is now spreading to developing countries,
since about one-third of the three million tobacco-caused deaths that
occur annually are in developing countries.  On current smoking
patterns, the world total will grow to about ten million in three
decades, and the developing country share will grow even faster,
increasing to 70% of all tobacco-caused deaths.
        It has been estimated that adults smoke, on average, 13
cigarettes per day in developing countries and 21 per day in
developed countries.  However, daily consumption in developing
countries is expected to rise as the smoking population ages, and as
personal incomes rise, making people more vulnerable to advertising
for cigarettes.
        In developed countries, an estimated 41% of men and 21% of
women are smokers.  In developing countries, the corresponding
estimates are 50% of men and 8% of women.  However, female smoking
prevalence is rising in many countries.
        WHO estimates that cigarette consumption per adult declined in
developed countries during the 1980s from about 2800 cigarettes per
person of 15 years of age and over, to about 2400 cigarettes.  But, at
the same time, this decline was counterbalanced by an increase during
the 1980s in per capita consumption from about 1150 to 1400
cigarettes per adult in developing countries.  The net result was that
world consumption hardly changed at all, staying steady at 1650
cigarettes per adult per year.
        "So far, the net effect of successful tobacco marketing in the
developing countries has been to shift areas of increased tobacco use
from developed to developing countries.  The tobacco epidemic has not
yet been put under global control", said Mr Hans Emblad, Director of
WHO's Programme on Substance Abuse.

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For further information, please contact Mr Hans Emblad, Director of
the WHO Programme on Substance Abuse, Geneva, Telephone: (41 22) 791
43 15.

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