Number of Smokers in the World rose to record Level of 1.1 Billion people
A new study revealed that the number of smokers in the world rose to a record level of 1.1 billion people, specifying that only 10 countries account for two-thirds of smokers in the world, including China, India, Indonesia, Turkey, and Vietnam.
"Governments need to focus on curbing the phenomenon of smoking among young people, as 89% of new smokers were addicted by the age of 25, but they are unlikely to start after that age, said the study.
- According to the study that included 204 countries, and published by the "Lancet" medical journal, half of the countries have not made any progress in stopping the trend of people between the ages of 15 and 24 years of smoking, and the average age at which a person begins is 19 years, when it is legal in most countries. See Also : Saudi Arabia allows serving Shisha in open places from 17th May
- “Young people are particularly vulnerable to addiction, and with smoking cessation rates remaining elusive worldwide, the tobacco epidemic will continue for years to come unless countries can significantly reduce the number of new smokers starting each year", according to Al Hurra, the study’s lead author, Marisa Ritsma.
- Ritsma added that the evidence specifies that, if young men experience a delay in developing the habit, they are unlikely to end up smoking at all.
- "Ensuring that young people stay away from smoking until their mid-twenties will lead to a drastic reduction in smoking rates for the next generation", she added. Recommend : Saudi Arabia bans Cigarettes sales to minors and bans smoking around children
- Only 10 countries make up two-thirds of the smoking population in the world, and they are China, India, Indonesia, the United States, Russia, Bangladesh, Japan, Turkey, Vietnam and the Philippines.
- Previous studies had shown that at least half of long-term smokers will die from causes directly related to smoking, and that the average life expectancy of smokers is ten years less than those who have never smoked. Read : Smokers likely to be more vulnerable for Covid-19
