WHO argues that entirely smoke-free environments, rather than separate smoking rooms or good ventilation systems, are the only way to prevent the harmful consequences of secondhand tobacco smoke.[5] Smoke-free laws are popular because there is evidence that they improve health outcomes without affecting business. In 2016, these laws benefited 19 percent of the world's population.[7] The benefits depended on the breadth of the legislation. For example, prohibiting smoking in all indoor workplaces reduced the exposure to secondhand smoke by 80 percent–90 percent and decreased the incidence of acute respiratory illness (IARC 2009).

In 2016, about 33 percent of the world's population had access to smoking cessation support programs, 21 percent more than in 2012.[7] These programs represent the fifth most widespread policy in the world.[5] They significantly raise quitting rates among smokers who want to quit and are more cost-effective compared with other health care programs.[17] Although they are effective, they only treat those addicted individuals who want to be treated. Their presence is also associated with country income, and they are mainly found in high-income countries.

Another way to discourage tobacco consumption is through health warning labels on tobacco packages. This is the third most common policy against cigarettes in the world. In 2016, almost 45 percent of the world’s population was being exposed to such labeling. Warning labels are widely supported by the public and may not represent a cost to governments.[5] However, they have to be regularly updated and changed to remain impactful. The use of warnings may influence people against tobacco consumption; however, their use only accounts for a marginal decrease.[18–20] Mass media campaigns that reach large populations represent the most popular and common way to combat tobacco use. In 2016, such campaigns addressed 56 percent of the world's population. People in low-income countries are less likely to be exposed to these campaigns. However, there is limited information about the costeffectiveness of this approach.[5] Durkin, Brennan, and Wakefield (2012) conclude that mass media awareness programs could promote quitting; however, their impact depends on the duration of the campaigns, especially among low-income smokers. It also depends on the message; information about the adverse health risks of smoking represents the most efficient means to reach users.[21] In Ukraine, several tobacco control policies have been adopted in the last years. In 2005, the Law on Measures to Prevent and Reduce the Use of Tobacco Products and their Harmful Impact on the Health of the Population was adopted. On 15 March 2006, Parliament ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), implemented fully on September 4, 2006.[22] According to the WHO Reports on the global tobacco epidemic, between the Second (survey data collected in 2006 or earlier) and the Third Reports (survey data collected in 2009 or earlier), Ukraine has demonstrated one of the fastest declines in smoking prevalence in the world: age and sex standardized current tobacco smoking prevalence declined from 45% to 32%. Per the national reports, daily smoking prevalence in Ukraine decreased from 37.2% in 2005 to 25.5% in 2010. Ukraine has followed best international tobacco control practices, but the success has been achieved without governmental funding for tobacco control activities. Ukraine has almost not used those strategies which require even moderate national resources like quit lines or other cessation services. The decline in smoking prevalence hence potentially resulted from the tobacco control legislation first adopted in 2005 and amended later, which included extension of smoke free policies; step-by-step tobacco advertising bans; large health warnings and other measures; however, most of these policies were implemented between 2005 and 2007.[23] 4