European tobacco control status report 2014

Abstract

The greatest burden of disease in the WHO European Region is attributable to noncommunicable diseases. As one of the top modifiable behavioural risk factors, tobacco use is the most preventable cause of death and diseases that can be successfully tackled by comprehensive and evidence-based tobacco control policies. In the Region, 16% of all deaths are attributable to tobacco, the highest rate globally. This report, 10 years after the adoption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, looks back and takes stock of the situation in the Region in order to effectively target action towards a decrease in tobacco use and to further stimulate the discussion on the vision for achieving a tobacco-free European Region.