WHO highlights huge scale of tobacco-related lung disease deaths

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day (31 May), the World Health Organization highlighted the damage that tobacco causes to lung health: over 40% of all tobacco-related deaths are from lung diseases such as cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and tuberculosis. WHO is calling on countries and partners to increase actions to protect people from exposures to tobacco.

“Every year, tobacco kills at least 8 million people. Millions more live with lung cancer, tuberculosis, asthma or chronic lung disease caused by tobacco,” said WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Healthy lungs are essential to living a healthy life. Today – and every day – you can protect your lungs and those of your friends and family by saying no to tobacco.”

In 2017, tobacco killed 3.3 million direct consumers as well as individuals exposed to second-hand smoke from lung-related conditions, including:

• 1.5 million deaths caused by chronic respiratory diseases
• 1.2 million cancer-related deaths (tracheal, bronchus and lung)
• 600 000 deaths from respiratory infections and tuberculosis

More than 60 000 children under the age of 5 die from lower respiratory infections caused by second-hand smoke. Those who live on into adulthood are more susceptible to develop a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) later in life.

What can be done?

WHO urges countries to fight the tobacco epidemic through full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and through the enforcement of effective tobacco control actions, including WHO’s recommended “MPOWER” policy measures, for example by reducing demand for tobacco through taxation, creating smoke-free places, and providing cessation support.

The Organization also encourages parents and community leaders to initiate steps in order to safeguard the health of their families and communities by actively informing them and protecting them from the detriments caused by tobacco.

Notes for editors:

Exposure to tobacco severely impacts lung health of people across the globe in the following ways:

Lung cancer: Tobacco smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, responsible for over two thirds of lung cancer deaths globally. Second-hand smoke exposure at home or in the work place also increases the risk of lung cancer. Ceasing to smoke can reduce such a risk: following a 10 year period of quitting smoking, risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker.

Chronic respiratory disease: Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition where the build-up of pus-filled mucus in the lungs results in a painful cough and agonizing breathing difficulties. The risk of developing COPD is particularly high among individuals who start smoking at a young age, and those exposed to second-hand smoke, as tobacco smoke significantly slows lung development. Tobacco also exacerbates asthma, which restricts activity and contributes to disability. Early smoking cessation is the most effective treatment for slowing the progression of COPD and improving asthma symptoms.

Across the life-course: Infants exposed in-utero to tobacco smoke toxins, through maternal smoking or maternal exposure to second-hand smoke, frequently experience reduced lung growth and function. Young children exposed to second-hand smoke are at risk of the onset and exacerbation of asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis, and frequent lower respiratory infections. Smokers should ensure they never smoke in the presence of an infant or young child.

Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB) damages the lungs and reduces lung function, which is further exacerbated by tobacco smoking. About one quarter of the world’s population has latent TB, placing them at risk of developing the active disease. Smokers are twice as likely to fall ill with TB. Active TB, compounded by the damaging lung health effects of tobacco smoking, substantially increases risk of disability and death from respiratory failure. TB sufferers are advised to take immediate steps to quit tobacco, in order for their TB treatment regime to be effective.

Air pollution: Tobacco smoke is a dangerous form of indoor air pollution: it contains more than 7 000 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer. Though smoke may be invisible and odourless, it can linger in the air for up to five hours. 

How tobacco relates to the SDGs: In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of a one-third reduction in NCD premature mortality by 2030, tobacco control must be a priority for governments and communities worldwide. Currently, the world is not on track to meet this specific target.

More information:

World No Tobacco Day website: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day/world-no-tobacco-day-2019

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control https://www.who.int/fctc/en/

WHO MPOWER tobacco control measures https://www.who.int/tobacco/mpower/en/