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   | | Global Issues | | | February 28, 2008 | | A cloud over planet earth | By Mike Magee, MD 
When it comes to tobacco, the facts make their own case. This is true locally, as with the numbers on second-hand smoke induced disease, which have pushed most of the US indoor public space to go "smoke-free." It is also true globally. Here are a few facts:
1. There are 1.3 billion smokers on the planet, with about 1/2 coming from China (30%), India (11%), and Indonesia (5%).
2. In 1970, 60% of smokers hailed from developed nations, and 40% from developing nations. Today 25% are from developed countries and 75% from developing countries.
3. Projected deaths from smoking in the next 25 years: 41 million from developed nations, 135 million from developing nations.
4. Currently tobacco kills 5.4 million worldwide per year according to the WHO. In 25 years, it will be 8 million per year. US smokers? They make up 4.5 of the world's smoking population.
5. Gender disparity rules tobacco in the developing world. China smokers - 60% of all males, 4% of all females; India - 33% of all males, 4% of all females; Indonesia - 66% of all males, 5% of all females. (US by comparison - 24% of males and 18% of females.) Next target for tobacco marketing overseas? Do I need to give you that answer?
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