Recent studies have shown that the proportion of smokers in the European Union has fallen by only 1 percent in the past three years, and 24 percent of the population still smokes. The EU has already achieved its “smoke-free generation” goal by 2040, but progress is slow.
According to българите July 16, the EU’s tobacco control campaign is facing challenges, with smoking rates falling short of expectations, according to a recent study by the European Commission. The percentage of smokers in the EU has decreased by only 1. percent over the past three years, and 24 percent of the population still smokes; these figures show that the EU is making slow progress in reducing the smoking population.
Among the EU member states, Bulgaria, Greece, and Croatia have smoking rates of more than 35%, while Sweden has a smoking rate of less than 10%. I am making it the country with the lowest smoking rate in China, highlighting the differences and challenges of tobacco control measures in each member state.
Despite the significant decline in smoking prevalence, boxed tobacco is still the preferred choice of smokers. In addition, the average consumption of smokers remained at around 14 cigarettes per day compared to 2020, with no significant decline.
Meanwhile, the use of vapes is gaining popularity among young people, with 3% of respondents stating that they have used the product, particularly between the ages of 15-39. The survey showed that a third of e-cigarette customers started using them. While 36% of users started to reduce or stop consuming traditional cigarettes.
The European Union has set a goal of a “smoke-free generation” by 2040, in which the proportion of the population using cigarettes falls below 5 percent, as part of the European Cancer Prevention Program.
In a statement. Frank Vandenbroucke. Belgian Minister of Health emphasized the importance of further tobacco control measures and noted that there is widespread public support for strengthening tobacco control policies. Frank Vandenbroucke also expressed his expectation that the next European Commission will be able to fast-track the revision of the Tobacco Directive. Currently, the latest version of the EU Cigarette Directive is still stuck in 2014. Although it has been revised many times to meet the market situation, the latest review has been postponed.
Smokefree Partnership (SFP) Lilia Olefir Lilia Olefir has called on the EU to immediately resume the review of the three directives on tobacco taxes, tobacco products, and advertising to address the health risks posed by tobacco consumption; which she points out is the biggest preventive health risk for the estimated 700,000 deaths in the EU each year. In addition, Lilia Olefel emphasized the importance of measures such as increasing the minimum tax on tobacco products, mandatory general packaging, a ban on cross-border online sales, and protecting young people from digital advertising of addictive goods. , and called on the EU to develop harmonized laws and regulations and to step up the fight against the tobacco lobby.
