Big Question 10 - Are Smokeless Products Associated with Reductions in Smoking?
KEY SUMMARY POINTS
1
Cigarette consumption has declined dramatically over the past decade, during which time the number of adult consumers of Smokeless Products has grown to an estimated 115 million.[1,2,3]
2
Smokeless Product use has increased with the global number of adult consumers, growing by approximately 70% between 2020-2024.[1,2,3]
3
In those countries where smoking rates have declined the most dramatically, the availability and use of Smokeless Products is increasing and displacing cigarettes.
"My vision for BAT is that by 2035, at least 50% of our revenues will be in Smokeless Products."
Tadeu Marroco
Chief Executive, BAT
Tobacco has been in use since 6000 BCE, when Native Americans began cultivating and using the tobacco plant.[4] Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one billion people smoke globally.[5] Despite long-standing and widespread public awareness of serious health risks, people continue to smoke.
Global Cigarette Consumption is Declining
Global cigarette consumption has declined significantly over the past decade and is now at its lowest point in many years. A significant reduction in cigarette consumption, of approximately 20%, was observed since 2012 (Figure 1).[6] By region, Western Pacific (excluding China) and Europe have shown the greatest reduction in cigarette consumption, whereas Eastern Mediterranean has shown the smallest reduction (Figure 2).[6]
