Tobacco is the leading risk factor for premature mortality in the European Region, causing about 1,6 million deaths. WHO is committed to reducing the global burden of disease and death caused by tobacco, thereby protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke.

Tough legislation outweighs perceived political costs

Governments have recognized the importance of tobacco control and many are now seriously addressing tobacco control in all its facets: taxation, pricing, advertising, packaging, warnings, smoking in public places and supporting people in cessation.

These initiatives are strongly supported by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), which 45 countries have ratified so far in the European region, and the WHO MPOWER strategy. The MPOWER package contains a set of six key tobacco control measures that complement and build on the WHO FCTC. Governments are finding that the gains and initatives hugely outweigh the perceived political costs for taking action, and legitimacy is accumulating as one country after another introduces tough legislation to combat smoking.

Policy leadership at many levels

WHO provides global and regional policy leadership and encourages the mobilization of all levels and sectors of government and the international community to work towards stronger tobacco control policies. The WHO Regional Office for Europe promotes the WHO FCTC and the WHO MPOWER strategy, and supports its Member States in their efforts to implement tobacco control measures based on its provisions. It does this through developing tools and evidence-based guidance to support and monitor implementation; offering advice and training and promoting exchange and learning across the Region.