255.9 million
The number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost to tobacco (170.9 million) and alcohol (85 million) use in 2015, according to a new study based on data from the World Health Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, published in Addiction. A DALY is equivalent to one lost year of healthy life.
27.8 million
The number of DALYs lost worldwide to illicit drugs, including cannabis, amphetamines, opioids and cocaine in 2015.
18.4%
The percentage of adults worldwide who reported at least one episode of heavy alcohol use in the past 30 days.
15.2%
The percentage of adults worldwide who reported using tobacco daily.
3.8%
The percentage of adults worldwide who reported using cannabis on a regular basis. Percentages were lower for amphetamines (0.77%), opioids (0.37%) and cocaine (0.35%).
Source: Peacock, A., et al. (2018). Global statistics on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use: 2017 status report. Addiction, 113(10). Available at https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14234opens in new window.
