, Oct. 13 -- East Asia Region has made the fastest progress globally in reducing tobacco use, according to the latest 'WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000-2024 and projections 2025-2030'.

Yet, with more than 322 million adults and 8.6 million adolescents in the Region still using tobacco, stronger policies, higher taxes, expanded cessation services, and regulation of new nicotine products are urgently needed to protect people's health.

Three countries- Bangladesh, India and Nepal - are on track to achieve at least a 30% relative reduction by 2025, while six others - Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand - are projected to see smaller declines.

"The progress is encouraging, but millions ...