Study Finds Tobacco Killed 7M People in 2023

Exposure to tobacco was responsible for the deaths of more than 7 million people worldwide in 2023, reinforcing its status as a leading global health threat. The new estimates, based on data from the Global Burden of Disease study, were presented at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin. The findings highlight a concerning rise in tobacco-related mortality in some nations, even as others see significant declines.

Global Trends and Regional Disparities

The analysis, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, identified tobacco as the leading risk factor for deaths in men, accounting for 5.59 million fatalities. For women, it ranked as the seventh leading risk factor, causing 1.77 million deaths. Globally, tobacco exposure is linked to approximately one in every eight deaths.

While some countries like the UK have achieved a notable 45% decline in deaths attributed to tobacco since 1990 (including smoking, chewing tobacco, and secondhand smoke), the overall global death rate from tobacco has risen by 24.4% during the same period. The research pointed to dramatic increases in certain countries, with Egypt experiencing the highest jump—a 124.3% rise in tobacco-related deaths in 2023 compared to 1990.

Brooks Morgan, a researcher at IHME, commented on the findings, stating, “While some countries are seeing encouraging declines in tobacco-related deaths, others are heading in the opposite direction. These trends highlight the urgent need for accelerated implementation and stronger enforcement of strategies proven to reduce tobacco use.”

The Economic Burden of Tobacco

Separate research presented at the conference underscored the immense economic toll of tobacco use, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. A team from the Institute of Clinical and Health Effectiveness (IECS) in Argentina calculated that tobacco had caused over 41,000 deaths in just five countries—Bolivia, Honduras, Nigeria, Paraguay, and Uruguay—and incurred costs of nearly $4.3 billion (£3.4 billion) in medical expenses, lost productivity, and informal caregiving. Natalia Espínola, a coordinator at IECS, noted that this total was equivalent to about 1% of the countries’ combined GDP.

Calls for Stronger Global Tobacco Control

In response to the data, global health leaders called for renewed and more aggressive efforts to combat tobacco use. Cassandra Kelly-Cirino, executive director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, stated, “There is no such thing as a healthy tobacco product, and reduced risk all too often just means increased profit for industry. We must take a zero-tolerance approach.”

A report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) urged countries to go further in their efforts to tackle both traditional tobacco and newer nicotine products like vapes. The WHO recommended measures such as raising taxes and requiring graphic warnings on packaging. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, told the conference that progress in tobacco control remains fragile, warning that “the tobacco industry continues to evolve, pushing new products, targeting youth, and working to erode our gains.” He also suggested that higher tobacco taxes could be used to fill health funding gaps in many countries.

Also at the conference, researchers from Fudan University in China presented a study on an AI mobile phone tool designed to help smokers quit. The trial showed that the tool, which used tailored messages and games, doubled the chances of success, with 17.6% of users quitting compared to 7.4% in a control group.