Addiction
Tobacco and alcohol use are falling, but not fast enough.
Substance use disorders—including those linked to illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco—remain a global challenge, though progress is evident. Tobacco use fell by 21% from 2010 to 2022, nearing the 30% reduction goal, while alcohol use dropped 4.5% between 2010 and 2019. Despite regional gains, risk behaviors persist and gender disparities remain. Expanding access to well-funded, stigma-free psychosocial and aftercare services is a crucial next step.
Insights
Political: Stronger regulation and enforcement of tobacco and alcohol control policies remain uneven. Not all countries have fully implemented WHO's MPOWER strategy.
Economic: Health costs from tobacco and alcohol use outweigh the benefits of their production and trade.
Social: Gender gaps in usage remain large, with men consuming significantly more tobacco and alcohol across all regions; youth uptake still poses risks in several settings.
Technological: Mobile health campaigns and digital cessation tools show promise but lack global reach.
Legal: Gaps in policies—like weak marketing restrictions, low taxes, and limited access to quitting support—are slowing progress in areas with the highest health burdens.
Environmental: Tobacco farming contributes to deforestation and pesticide use; alcohol production carries significant water and carbon footprints.
Reflective Questions
How might countries accelerate behavior change where social norms support tobacco or alcohol use?
What new tools or strategies could close the gender and regional gaps in risk factor reduction?
How can we make behavioral risk reduction a key part of public policies?
Related Insight Cards
References:
World Health Organization, 2024. WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2030. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/375711
World Health Organization, n.d. WHO global information system on alcohol and health. The global health observatory [online database]. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/global-information-system-on-alcohol-and-health
