Countries Where People Smoke The Most

All around the world, the debate rages on over smoking cigarettes and its effects on health. Whether considered a habit or an addiction, the sheer magnitude of smoking populations worldwide is shocking. Estimates from the World Health Organisation put the total number of smokers worldwide at well over 1 billion. This article looks at the countries where the habit of smoking is most prevalent, as well as its impact on the population.

Definition of Smoking

Smoking is the action of intentionally inhaling smoke from burning materials, usually in order to get the psychoactive effects of the substance in the smoke. The most commonly smoked substances are cigarettes and cigars which contain nicotine. Other substances including marijuana, shisha and kreteks are also commonly smoked.

Health Concerns of Smoking

Smoking is known to cause cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, strokes, and a range of other medical conditions. The most famous health issue associated with smoking is lung cancer, which is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. In addition to the physiological effects, smoking also has mental health consequences. Smokers are more likely to suffer from depression than non-smokers, and are much more likely to become addicted to other substances.

Countries Where People Smoke The Most

The World Health Organisation’s Global Adult Tobacco Survey estimates that there are over 1 billion variety of smokers worldwide, making it one of the leading causes of preventable death. Here are the top 10 countries with the highest prevalence of cigarette smoking:

1. China

2. Indonesia

3. Russia

4. Japan

5. United States

6. Vietnam

7. India

8. South Korea

9. Philippines

10. Thailand

Ranking by Amount of Cigarettes Smoked

In addition to these countries, certain countries have higher than normal amounts of cigarettes being smoked. According to the World Health Organisation, Belarus and Moldova were found to have the highest number of cigarettes smoked per person every year. Here are the top countries in this ranking, ordered by the amount of cigarettes smoked per person yearly:

1. Belarus – 4,846 cigarettes

2. Moldova – 3,686 cigarettes

3. Greece – 3,659 cigarettes

4. Serbia – 3,547 cigarettes

5. Russia – 3,308 cigarettes

6. Montenegro – 3,242 cigarettes

7. Japan – 2,901 cigarettes

8. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 2,866 cigarettes

9. Brazil – 2,843 cigarettes

10. Croatia – 2,840 cigarettes

Impact of Smoking on Communities

The health concerns associated with smoking are widely known, and its impact can be felt in the community. Smoking not only affects the smokers themselves, but their families, friends, and even bystanders. Health problems associated with smoking are estimated to cost nearly $130 billion a year in medical expenses and lost productivity. This doesn’t even include costs such as childcare, home nursing, cleaning and funeral expenses.

Smoking Policies and Laws

Given the health risks of smoking, many countries have taken steps to ensure the safety of their citizens. In many countries, smoking is banned in public places, including restaurants, bars, and workplaces. Cigarette packaging also often includes warning labels regarding the health risks of smoking. In addition to these laws, many countries have enacted taxes on tobacco products in order to discourage smoking.

The prevalence of smoking around the world is alarming, with estimates for the number of smokers ranging from 1 billion to more than 1.2 billion. As more research is conducted and data is gathered about the health risks of smoking, it is likely that additional governments will take steps to protect their citizens from the dangers of smoking. Thankfully, many countries already have laws and regulations in place to reduce the number of smokers and protect their citizens from the health consequences of smoking.