Tobacco use is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced.

• There are more than one billion smokers in the world.

• Globally, use of tobacco products is increasing, although it is decreasing in high-income countries.

• Almost half of the world's children breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke.

• The epidemic is shifting to the developing world.

• More than 80% of the world's smokers live in low- and middle-income countries.

• Tobacco use kills 5.4 million people a year - an average of one person every six seconds - and accounts for one in 10 adult deaths worldwide.

• Tobacco kills up to half of all users.

• It is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of deaths in the world.