Despite significant declines in tobacco consumption over the years, the South-east Asia region continues to be the home of the highest number of tobacco users, including smokeless tobacco. Moreover, the use of e-cigarettes is on the rise, particularly among young people, posing additional health risks.

Highlighting the gravity of the menace causing health issues like cancer, respiratory issues, and heart disease, newly elected Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, Saima Wazed,  has called for heightened efforts in controlling both tobacco and e-cigarette usage within the region.

Of particular concern is the increasing number of adolescent tobacco users, indicating a concerning trend among younger populations. Additionally, the rise in e-cigarette use among school-aged children, as evidenced by Thailand’s experience, demands immediate attention, she said.

Furthermore, she stressed the lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, underscoring the need for regulatory measures.

Key statistics underline the gravity of the situation, with an estimated 411 million tobacco users in the region, accounting for a significant portion of global tobacco consumption. Smokeless tobacco usage is particularly prevalent, with the region hosting nearly 77% of global users. Furthermore, there are approximately 11 million adolescent tobacco users, indicating a concerning trend among younger populations.

Regarding e-cigarettes, she said, despite efforts by some countries to ban or regulate e-cigarettes, more comprehensive measures are required.

“Several countries in the region have set ambitious targets for tobacco control, with initiatives such as “Tobacco Free Bangladesh” and “Tobacco Endgame” in India.

“Moreover, countries are implementing demand reduction strategies advocated by WHO, such as the MPOWER package, to further curb tobacco consumption,” Wazed said.

(The writer is Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO, South-East Asia)