WHO Expects More Tobacco Deaths

WHO Expects More Tobacco Deaths
October 15, 2002

Research Summary

The World Health Organization (WHO) has revised its annual death rate for smoking-related diseases, saying more people are dying each year from smoking than previously estimated, Reuters reported Oct. 11.

According to WHO, 4.9 million people are expected to die from smoking this year, up from 4.2 million. "This means our estimate for 10 million deaths a year by 2030 is also probably an underestimate," said Derek Yach, head of non-communicable diseases at WHO.

Current trends indicate that tobacco could soon become the leading cause of premature death worldwide.

As a result of the latest projection, WHO urged countries to reach a global treaty on reducing tobacco use. WHO is currently working with its 192-member states to create the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

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