Media worldwide are invited to attend a press event announcing the results of the 2018 State of Smoking Survey, a study commissioned by the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World that aims to better understand why people smoke, what motivates smokers to want to quit, and what makes quitting difficult. It also seeks to find commonalities and differences among smokers worldwide to help shape the development of better approaches for tobacco harm reduction and smoking cessation across diverse cultures and economic conditions.

The international research organization Kantar conducted qualitative and quantitative interviews with 17,421 smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers in Brazil, France, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, Malawi, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States. The survey findings will be presented on March 19, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. EDT via live webcast. Media will have an opportunity to ask questions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states there are one billion smokers worldwide and 7.2 million deaths from smoking each year. By uncovering key drivers behind why people smoke, and main barriers to quitting, the Foundation hopes to advance innovative approaches to cessation and reduced-risk products that will more rapidly and effectively eliminate harm and deaths from smoking around the world.

NOTE: Webcast audio will be available over your computer.If you prefer to listen by telephone, an international list of dial-in numbers is available at: http://bit.ly/StateOfSmokingPhone

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