80% of smokers in the world live in poor or middle-income countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday that progress has been made in reducing smoking and tobacco consumption, but governments need to do more to help 1.1 billion smokers to quit.

Smoking has declined in most countries, but population growth means that the number of smokers remains high and that about 80% of smokers in the world live in poor or middle-income countries, according to Reuters.

"Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to stay healthy," said Tidros Adhanum Gibressus, WHO Director-General.

Governments that have implemented anti-smoking policies, such as increasing tobacco taxes and banning tobacco advertising, offer "practical tools to help people give up this habit," adding and years to their lives, "he said.

The latest data from the World Health Organization indicate that smoking kills more than 7 million people a year worldwide.

However, the report noted that many countries have not yet put in place appropriate policies, and urged governments to redouble their efforts to implement anti-smoking measures, such as free services for people who want to stop smoking. to smoke, protect people from tobacco smoke, print strong warnings about the dangers of smoking, Cigarettes are banned and advertised.