Health challenges
The tobacco atlas
Mapping the history, current situation and future projections of the tobacco epidemic
Authors:
J Mackay; M. Eriksen
Publisher:
World Health Organization , 2002
This book published by the World Health Organization (WHO), maps the history, current situation and some predictions for the future of the tobacco epidemic up to the year 2050. It is divided into six sections: prevalence and health, the costs of tobacco, the tobacco trade, promotion, taking action and world tables. The world tables provide statistics on the demographics of tobacco (including adult prevalence, youth smoking, consumption, quitting) and the business of tobacco (including land area devoted to growing tobacco, quantity produced, number of workers and tobacco tax).
The book illustrates how tobacco is not just a simple health issue but involves economics, big business, politics, trade and crimes including smuggling, litigation and deceit. It also shows the importance of a multifaceted approach to reducing the epidemic – by the WHO, UN agencies, NGOs, the private sector and the whole of civil society. [adapted from authors]
