As part of tomorrow’s World No Tobacco Day, the Luxembourg Ministry of Health has joined the World Health Organisation (WHO) in warning of the health risks of smoking.

In light of this year’s World No Tobacco Day, organised on 31 May by WHO, the Ministry of Health had issued a reminder of the risks of tobacco consumption for health and reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against smoking.

According to the WHO, tobacco kills more than 7 million people a year worldwide, of which nearly 900,000 are non-smokers, exposed to second-hand smoke. In Luxembourg, there are about 1,000 deaths per year, of which nearly 90 are due to passive smoking.

Indeed, in line with the sustained efforts of recent years, by successive reinforcements of legislation and information campaigns, Luxembourg Ministry of Health has confirmed that it will continue its efforts in the fight against smoking in a "Health in all policies" approach.

Tobacco-related diseases include lung cancer, 90% of which is caused by smoking according to WHO, but also mouth, pharynx, larynx, bladder and breast cancer or chronic lung diseases (eg COPD). Cardiovascular disease caused by smoking remains the leading cause of premature mortality among smokers, as well as among the victims of passive smoking. They alone account for nearly half of the deaths of smokers.

For the 2018 World No Tobacco Day, WHO has chosen cardiovascular diseases as its theme. These originate from the deterioration of the blood vessels. The main cause is tobacco consumption, but additional factors, such as cholesterol or hereditary factors, can aggravate or accelerate the development of cardiovascular disease. These risks are fortunately reversible, because one year after the complete cessation of smoking, the risk of cardiovascular disease will have dropped by 50%.

World No Tobacco Day 2018 is also an opportunity for Luxembourg to draw an initial mid-term review of its "National Plan to Combat Tobacco 2016-2020" (NTP). The goal of this plan is to provide a supportive environment for people to prevent and sustainably stop smoking. The NTP also places special emphasis on smoking cessation assistance for smokers who wish to quit smoking in the long term.

For more information on World No Tobacco Day, the new anti-smoking law and the NTP, visit the health portal: www.sante.lu.