WHO: These 4 industries kill 2.7 million people per year

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco, processed foods, alcohol and fossil fuels are the cause of frequent deaths in Europe, these industries kill 2.7 million people a year.

WHO called for stricter regulation by governments to limit the impact of industry on humans and strengthen public health.

Obstructing public health policies for profit?

According to the WHO, 1.15 million deaths a year in Europe are caused by smoking, 426,000 by alcohol, 117,290 by diets high in processed meat and 252,187 by diets high in salt.

These figures do not even include deaths caused by obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar or high cholesterol - all linked to unhealthy diets, the report said.

The WHO accused the four industries of obstructing public policies that could harm their profits, noting that industry tactics include targeted marketing strategies, misinformation, social media promotion and "undermining science," such as funding research that advances their goals.

"These tactics jeopardize the public health gains of the last century and prevent countries from achieving their health goals," the WHO said.