The Argument for Global Tobacco Control

Abstract

The prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCD) have been largely neglected, although these conditions have become the primary cause of global mortality. In fact, NCDs accounted for approximately 63% of worldwide deaths in 2008.² Currently, NCD mortality exceeds the cumulative mortality attributed to communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional disorders in every region but Africa.³ A leading risk factor for NCDs is tobacco usage. Tobacco consumption causes five to six million deaths annually.³ Approximately 71% of lung cancer deaths, 42% of chronic respiratory disease cases and 10% of cardiovascular disease cases are attributed to smoking.³ Projections of current trends predict that by 2030, this number will reach nearly 10 million and up to 70% of smoking-related deaths will occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).4 By 2050, smoking will have caused an estimated total of 450 million deaths.⁴ Although these statistics are certainly alarming, they have not garnered adequate attention from international donors. In fact, in 2007, only 3% of all development assistance for health targeted NCDs.⁵