A study on the ill-effects of tobacco in the United States shows that the smoking rate in persons above 18 years dropped to an estimated 20.5 per cent in 2008, which is about half in 1965 (42%). But a study in India shows that overall smoking rate has increased from 37.4 per cent to 40.6%, said Dr BK Mishra, a city-based oncologist. This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) is implementing a treaty, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to discourage people from consuming tobacco products. The treaty obliges nations to take incremental action against tobacco consumption, marketing and exposure among other measures. For more information visit: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-31/allahabad/29604012_1_tobacco-products-tobacco-epidemic-convention-on-tobacco-control