I went to the launch of the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2017 yesterday. Mike Bloomberg, Dr Tedros, and the WHO staffer tried to put a positive spin on it. This wa not an easy job.

http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/255874/1/9789241512824-eng.pdf

Decreases in global tobacco smoking prevalence have been offset by a population increase. There are more smokers now than ever.

There is reported progress in the process indicators as more measures have been implemented. Especially in plain/graphic cigarette packaging. But there has been *no* progress in tobacco taxation, one of the most effective tobacco control measures.

Myanmar did not change much. Graphic cigarette packaging is the only change. Indonesia is in big trouble with its tobacco epidemic.

Sigh.

Jamie