Experts have called for a 'turbocharged ' campaign to rid the world of tobacco by 2040 . Leading experts have called for a 'turbocharged ' global campaign to make the world tobacco free by 2040 . The sale of tobacco should be phased out within the next 25 years , leading public health researchers have today said . They claim one billion deaths from smoking could be averted by the end of the century , if action is taken now . But a global campaign will only work with the support of governments as well as with stronger evidence-based action against the tobacco industry , they warn . Professors Robert Beaglehole and Ruth Bonita , from the University of Auckland in New Zealand have called on the United Nations to lead efforts against the sale and consumption of tobacco . They warn that despite the decline of smoking in the developed world , tobacco use is expected to increase in some countries over the next decade , notably in Africa and the Middle East . With global population rising , there could still be more than a billion people smoking in 2025 unless urgent action is taken , it is claimed . The call to arms in the fight against smoking comes in a series of articles published in the Lancet medical journal and will be launched at the World Conference on Tobacco and Health being held in Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates . Professor Beaglehole , said : 'The time has come for the world to acknowledge the unacceptability of the damage being done by the tobacco industry and work towards a world essentially free from the legal and illegal sale of tobacco products . ' A world where tobacco is out of sight , out of mind , and out of fashion - yet not prohibited - is achievable in less than three decades from now , but only with full commitment from governments , international agencies , such as UN and WHO ( World Health Organisation ) , and civil society . ' Global tobacco regulation should be 'turbocharged ' , with the United Nations taking a leading role in efforts to eliminate the sale and use of tobacco . The experts pointed out that falling demand for tobacco in rich parts of the world had caused the 'big four ' tobacco companies to turn their attention to low and middle-income countries . Their alleged tactics included industrial litigation , lobbying through third-party groups , and covert maintenance of political pressure disguised as 'corporate social responsibility ' . Professor Anna Gilmore , another of the authors from the University of Bath , said : 'Contrary to industry claims , tobacco marketing deliberately targets women and young people . 'The tobacco industry continues to interfere with governments ' efforts to implement effective tobacco control policies . 'If the world is to become tobacco free , it 's vital that the industry 's appalling conduct receives far closer scrutiny and countries which stand up to the industry 's bullying tactics receive better global support . ' A decade on from the WHO 's landmark introduction of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control ( FCTC ) , just 15 per cent of the world 's population have adequate access to smoking cessation services . Moreover , less than one in 10 people across the world are covered by tobacco taxation at levels recommended by the FCTC . The experts led by Professors Robert Beaglehole and Ruth Bonita , from the University of Auckland in New Zealand , said the sale of tobacco should be phased out within the next 25 years . That is despite research showing that increasing the cost of tobacco to consumers through taxation is one of the most effective ways to reduce consumption . In the last 10 years 50 million people have died as a result of tobacco use , indicating the FCTC alone is insufficient to achieve substantive reductions in the use of tobacco . While the implementation of the FCTC has been successful in some countries , particularly in Australia , New Zealand , Finland , the UK and some Pacific island countries , global action must now be taken . The authors note this can be achieved by accelerating the FCTC in those countries slow on the uptake . They said up until now too much focus has been on reducing the demand for tobacco . For further progress to be made , however , attention must turn to the supply , with greater regulation and closer scrutiny of the tobacco industry . Deborah Arnott , chief executive of the charity Action on Smoking and Health ( Ash ) said : 'Along with many other rich nations , we have made good progress in reducing tobacco use over the past several decades . 'However , one in five UK adults continue to smoke , not through choice but because they are addicted . 'And 100,000 die early each year as a result . 'The authors of the Lancet articles are right that we need to do more to tackle the tobacco industry and to make it pay for the damage it does . 'This is just what the tobacco levy currently being consulted on by HM Treasury could achieve . 'But it is essential that the money raised should be used to encourage smokers to quit and to discourage young people from taking up this deadly habit . '
Sale of tobacco should be phased out in the next 25 years , experts say . Score: 6