The bar chart compares the percentage of adult male smokers in seven countries—Bangladesh, Cuba, Armenia, Egypt, Mexico, Lebanon, and Australia—as well as the global average for the years 2000 and 2015.
Overall, the data shows a general decline in the percentage of male smokers across most countries, with the exception of Egypt and Lebanon, where the percentage increased over the 15-year period. Cuba, however, experienced no significant change in its smoking rate.
In 2000, Bangladesh had the highest proportion of male smokers, with over 60% of the adult male population engaging in the habit. By 2015, this figure had dropped sharply to just under 40%, marking one of the most significant declines among the countries surveyed. A similar pattern can be seen in Armenia, where the percentage fell by approximately 10%, from around 55% to 45%. Mexico and Australia also followed the global downward trend, though their decreases were more modest, each dropping by about 5-7%.
In contrast, both Egypt and Lebanon saw a rise in the percentage of male smokers. Egypt experienced an increase from roughly 35% in 2000 to 45% in 2015, while Lebanon’s smoking rate climbed from about 40% to nearly 50% over the same period. Interestingly, Cuba remained virtually unchanged, maintaining a stable smoking rate of approximately 40% in both years.
The global average followed a similar downward trajectory, decreasing from around 40% in 2000 to approximately 30% in 2015, which suggests a growing awareness of the health risks associated with smoking.