Smoking to kill 8 million people a year by 2030, new study warns

The number of people who die from smoking is going to rise considerably in the coming years, according to a new report. Tobacco use currently kills an estimated six million people worldwide every year - but by 2030, the World Health Organisation (WHO) believes this will increase to eight million. More than 80% of smoking deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, where the number of smokers is continuing to rise.

The science is clear; the time for action is now.

The WHO’s report, produced in conjunction with the US National Cancer Institute

The WHO claims most governments are failing to use cheap and effective tools which can reduce tobacco use and save lives, such as complete bans on tobacco marketing, prominent warning labels on cigarette packets and price increases. Global revenues generated from tobacco taxes only stood at $269bn (£221bn) in 2013/14, it said, which is nowhere near enough to recoup the economic losses caused by smoking. Health experts say tobacco use is the single biggest preventable cause of death worldwide.

Health