Prevalence of Tobacco Smoking from 2000 to 2020, with countries grouped from the highest to lowest drops in percent prevalence

Rates of smoking have fallen for both men and women largely due to greater public awareness of the importance of a healthier lifestyle, as well as the introduction of various tobacco control measures including advertising bans, smoke-free environments, and higher taxation. Nevertheless, reduction in smoking prevalence tends to start plateauing at around 20% of a population, suggesting diminishing returns on tobacco control interventions. In this graphic, we have grouped countries in terms of the drop in the prevalence of current tobacco smoking, from those countries with the highest drop in prevalence to those with the lowest drop. Across all groups there tends to be a levelling at around 20%.

See also p.32 of the report: Burning Issues: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2020