GENEVA/SARAJEVO, October 8 (FENA) – The world is smoking less, but the tobacco epidemic is far from over. A new WHO global report shows the number of tobacco users has dropped from 1.38 billion (22.4%) in 2000 to 1.2 billion (14.7%) in 2024. Since 2010, the number of people using tobacco has dropped by 120 million – a 27% drop in relative terms. Yet, tobacco still hooks millions of adults worldwide, fuelling millions of preventable deaths every year. Europe is now the highest-prevalence Region globally, with 24.1% of adults using tobacco in 2024, with women in Europe having the highest global prevalence at 17.4%.

“Millions of people are stopping, or not taking up, tobacco use thanks to tobacco control efforts by countries around the world,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “In response to this strong progress, the tobacco industry is fighting back with novel nicotine products, aggressively targeting young people. Governments must act faster and stronger in implementing proven tobacco control
policies.”

According to the Report, tobacco use in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) continues to be a significant public health concern, with more than one in three adults using tobacco. Data from the survey Tobacco Consumption in BiH shows that 35.3% of adults are tobacco users. Usage is considerably higher among men (42.2%) compared to women (29.1%).

The high prevalence of smoking among the youngest population is particularly alarming. Nearly one quarter of children aged 13 to 15 use some form of tobacco product, while in Republika Srpska, more than one third, 38.9% of children in the same age group report using any tobacco product.

“BiH has reduced tobacco use by 12% since 2010 but remains off track to meet the global target of a 30% reduction by 2025,” said Dr Erwin Cooreman, WHO Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “By strengthening tobacco control, raising public awareness, and expanding support for those who want to quit, BiH can move closer to global targets for preventing noncommunicable diseases,” said Dr Erwin
Cooreman.

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a comprehensive Law on Control and Limited Use of Tobacco, Tobacco Products and Other Smoking Products in 2022, which entered into force in May 2023. The law introduced strict smoke-free measures in all enclosed public spaces and workplaces, as well as new regulations on advertising and packaging.

In the Republika Srpska, the Bill on the Protection of the Population’s Health from Tobacco and Other Smoking Products was adopted by the Republika Srpska National Assembly earlier this year. The public consultation phase concluded in August 2025, marking an important step towards the adoption of a comprehensive tobacco control framework that would align entity measures with international public health standards,
stated the WHO Office in BiH.