Does the World Still Have a Smoking Problem in 2024?

Smoking rates have seen a downward trend in recent years. In our previous post, it was discussed that there was no significant drop in smoking rates from 2013 to 2016, but more strategies have been implemented to curb the global tobacco epidemic.

As a result, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) found that the 1.30 billion-strong population of tobacco users globally is expected to drop to 1.27 billion by 2025.

There are different factors that contribute to the fall of tobacco use, including the growing restrictions around smoking, the popularity of vaping products, and the growing appeal of using smoke-free alternatives.

Here, we discuss current trends surrounding smoking and the primary drivers in the decline of cigarette use around the world.

Current trends within the tobacco industry

One of the primary reasons for the smoking decline is the implementation of tobacco control measures by different administrations across the globe. As of 2023, over 70 countries have existing comprehensive nationwide laws that ban smoking. Additionally, this article shows that more governments are encouraged by WHO to offer resources for smoking cessation, enforce excise tax on tobacco products, and warn people about the health dangers of smoking to encourage cessation.

These strategies are credited by WHO in their contribution to driving global smoking rates from 30% in 1987 down to 18.3% by 2021. In response to tobacco measures, some former smokers relied on using alternatives to help them quit smoking. A popular option for this is vape products, which have seen steady growth in recent years as well.

Prevalence of vaping

A study from BioMed Central revealed that the global prevalence of e-cigarette use is at 23%, and 39% of this demographic smoked conventional cigarettes previously. As an alternative, vapes were appealing because they provide a similar experience to smoking without the chemicals found in cigarettes. Vaping products are also acknowledged to be less harmful than traditional cigarettes, but emerging research shows that vaping presents its own unique health risks.

The American Lung Association cites that chemicals found in vape juices produce acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde, which are harmful to the lungs. When heated up to produce vapor, these substances enter the body and lead to lung injury, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies from Harvard Health also show that prolonged vaping could potentially damage airways, causing difficulty breathing and popcorn lungs.

Growing appeal of smoke-free alternatives

Considering the health risks presented by both traditional cigarettes and vape products, some people are turning towards smoke-free alternatives to help them ease into smoking cessation. The market for smoke-free alternatives is saturated with different kinds of products, with nicotine pouches being a popular choice for their convenience. The LUCY nicotine pouches featured on this site are discreet, do not contain any tobacco, and guarantee a spit-free and stain-free experience. These pouches also come in a wide range of refreshing flavors like wintergreen, cinnamon, and apple ice, which are also available in strengths of 4, 8, or 12mg that are great for everyday use.

Non-oral alternatives like nicotine patches are another popular option. As seen here, these patches are regarded as a safe and effective way to aid cessation, as they provide a steady release of nicotine that is absorbed by the body throughout the day. Most nicotine patches look like bandages stuck on the skin, but brands like NicoDerm offer transparent patches for more discretion. Nicotine patches from NicoDerm also come in strengths up to 21mg to help ease the transition toward cessation.

All in all, cigarette smoking may not be as big of a problem as it was in decades past. However, the emergence of vaping products as an alternative to cigarettes is a growing cause of concern because of its health risks. With this, the market for smoke-free alternatives is seeing significant growth as it aids cessation, posing opportunities to further reduce the prevalence of smoking across the globe.