WHO Releases Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 Report – Major Update in Health Policy
The World Health Organization (WHO) released its much-anticipated Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 report at the World Conference on Tobacco Control held in Dublin, Ireland. This report, prepared with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, is a significant milestone in global public health policy. It is extremely important for aspirants preparing for UPSC and other government exams.
MPOWER Framework – The Key to Tobacco Control
This report focuses on WHO’s MPOWER tobacco control measures, introduced in 2008 to help countries implement effective interventions to reduce tobacco demand. These six evidence-based MPOWER components are:
M – Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies
P – Protecting people from tobacco smoke
O – Offering help to quit tobacco use
W – Warning about the dangers of tobacco
E – Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship
R – Raising taxes on tobacco products
Since 2007, 155 countries have implemented at least one MPOWER measure at the best-practice level, protecting over 6.1 billion people – compared to just 1 billion in 2007.
India’s Remarkable Progress in Tobacco Control
Leading in Global Tobacco Control Efforts
India has achieved significant milestones in several MPOWER measures for tobacco control. In 2024, India was included among the countries with best-practice-level graphic health warning labeling.
Revolutionary Steps in Digital Platform Regulation
India became the first country in the world to specifically apply tobacco control regulations to digital streaming content. On 31 May 2023 (World No Tobacco Day), the government amended the 2012 Tobacco-Free Films and Television Rules to include OTT platforms (like Netflix, Amazon Prime).
Key highlights of the new rules:
Anti-tobacco health spots of at least 30 seconds at the beginning and middle of programs
Static anti-tobacco health warnings during tobacco product display
Audio-visual disclaimers about the harmful effects of tobacco
India’s Achievement in Health Warning Implementation
Health warnings on cigarette packets in India are among the largest in the world (85%). According to Dr. Vinayak Mohan Prasad (Global Tobacco Control Program, WHO), only 10 countries have larger graphic health warnings than India.
Comprehensive Ban on Tobacco Promotion in Media
India has imposed strict bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS) across all media platforms (TV, radio, print, digital). The Tobacco-Free Films and Television Rules were implemented in 2012.
India Honored at Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards
India was honored in the ‘O’ category for promoting tobacco cessation at the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control. The National Tobacco Control Cell of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare received this award along with Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, the Philippines, and Ukraine.
Global Tobacco Production – India’s Position
India in the Global Tobacco Market
India is the world’s second-largest tobacco producer after China, with raw tobacco production reaching about 769,671 metric tonnes in 2023. India is also the second-largest exporter of tobacco by quantity, after Brazil.
Economic Impact and Exports
India’s tobacco exports are expected to exceed ₹13,000 crore in 2024, showing more than 8% growth. In 2023-24, tobacco exports stood at ₹12,005.89 crore (about $1.5 billion).
Top 10 Tobacco-Producing Countries (2023)
| Rank | Country | Production (Metric Tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 2,296,700 |
| 2 | India | 769,671 |
| 3 | Brazil | 683,469 |
| 4 | Indonesia | 238,806 |
| 5 | Zimbabwe | 236,815 |
| 6 | USA | 196,160 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 151,858 |
| 8 | Tanzania | 122,859 |
| 9 | Argentina | 107,880 |
| 10 | North Korea | 87,427 |
Source: United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
According to the report, tobacco taxation is the least adopted MPOWER measure in India. Compared to other countries, tobacco product prices in India are relatively low, which reduces the effectiveness of tobacco control.
The WHO report warns that due to increasing industry interference, action is needed to maintain and accelerate tobacco control policies and efforts.
Global Progress and the Way Forward
According to the 2025 report, there has been remarkable progress in the implementation of graphic health warnings. The average size of health warnings was 28% in 2007, which has increased to nearly 60% in 2024. Currently, 110 countries mandate best-practice-level health warnings, compared to just 9 in 2007.
Four countries (Brazil, Mauritius, Netherlands, Turkey) have achieved full MPOWER implementation, while seven countries (Ethiopia, Ireland, Jordan, Mexico, New Zealand, Slovenia, Spain) are one measure away.
Why this matters for your exam preparation
International Organization Reports: Global reports like those from WHO are frequently asked in UPSC GS Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Policy, Social Justice) and Paper III (Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment).
India’s Global Standing: Questions based on India’s international ranking and global recognition are asked in both prelims and mains.
Health Policy and Governance: This topic covers health policy, center-state relations, and regulatory frameworks.
Current Affairs Integration: Recent developments like OTT platform regulations and Bloomberg Awards showcase India’s leadership in policy-making.
Static GK: The MPOWER framework, WHO structure, and international health organizations are part of core general knowledge.
