Tobacco use in Bosnia and Herzegovina still among the highest in Europe, tobacco products widespread among children

(Patria) - Today, the world consumes fewer cigarettes than before, but the tobacco epidemic is far from over. A new global report by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that the number of tobacco users has decreased from 1.38 billion (22.4%) in 2000 to 1.2 billion (14.7%) in 2024.

Since 2010, the number of tobacco users has decreased by 120 million, representing a relative decrease of 27%. Nevertheless, tobacco continues to affect millions of adults worldwide with addiction, causing millions of preventable deaths each year. Europe is now the region with the highest prevalence of tobacco use in the world, with 24.1% of adults consuming tobacco in 2024, while women in Europe have the highest rate of use globally, at 17.4%.

“Millions of people are quitting or never starting tobacco use thanks to the efforts of countries around the world to control tobacco use,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO.

“In response to this significant progress, the tobacco industry is fighting back by launching new nicotine products, aggressively targeting young people. Governments must act faster and more decisively to implement proven tobacco control measures.”

According to the report, tobacco use in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) continues to be a serious public health problem, with more than a third of adults using tobacco. Data from the survey Consumption of Tobacco in BiH shows that 35.3% of adults use tobacco. Use is significantly higher among men (42.2%) than among women (29.1%).

The high rate of smoking among the youngest population is particularly concerning. Almost one in four children aged 13 to 15 uses some form of tobacco product, while in Republika Srpska, more than a third, or 38.9% of children in the same age group, report using some tobacco product.

“BiH has reduced tobacco use by 12% since 2010, but is still on track to miss the global target of a 30% reduction by 2025,” said Dr. Erwin Cooreman, WHO Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“By strengthening tobacco control, raising public awareness, and providing support to those who want to quit smoking, BiH can move closer to the global goals of preventing non-communicable diseases,” added Dr. Cooreman.

In 2022, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Law on Control and Limited Use of Tobacco, Tobacco and Other Smoking Products, which came into force in May 2023. The law introduced strict smoking bans in all enclosed public spaces and workplaces, as well as new rules on advertising and packaging of tobacco products.

In Republika Srpska, the Draft Law on Protection of the Population's Health from Tobacco and Other Smoking Products was adopted by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska earlier this year. The public consultation phase concluded in August 2025, marking an important step towards adopting a comprehensive tobacco control framework that would align entity measures with international public health standards.