OECD SMOKING RATES: The Countries Lighting Up the Most

Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable death, driving cancer and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases worldwide. OECD data for 2023 tracks daily smoking across 38 member countries and shows significant contrasts in prevalence. Türkiye has the highest rate at 28.3%, followed by Greece and Hungary at 24.9%. Several European nations stay above the OECD average of 14.8%, while countries like the United States and Canada sit well below it. At the lower end, Iceland and Costa Rica show 6% or less daily smokers. Compared to 2013, most countries show meaningful progress, with an average 26% decline in daily smoking rates over the past decade. The dataset highlights ongoing risks and the public health successes driven by regulation and awareness efforts.