Cancer Foundation Survey shows 1 in 5 Luxembourgers still Smoke

The Luxembourg Cancer Foundation’s annual smoking survey has found that about one-fifth of the population are smokers.

In the context of World No Tobacco Day, held annually on 31 May, the Cancer Foundation has published its survey on smoking in Luxembourg. The representative survey, conducted by TNS llres in 2017, featured 4,225 respondents over the age of 15 living in Luxembourg, who discussed their smoking habits.

The 2017 survey revealed that the situation has remained almost unchanged for five years. Indeed, the results showed that 21% of residents in Luxembourg smoke, which actually represents a slight increase of smokers after years of stagnation. Since 2013, therefore, the proportion of smokers in the Luxembourg population is about one-fifth, or 103,950 people in 2017.

Moreover, whilst the proportion of young smokers aged 18 to 24 dropped from 26% (2013-16) to 22% (2017), the percentage of female smokers was found to have increased steadily over the past few years and exceeded their male counterparts for the second time (first in 2015) in 2017 (24% versus 21%) for this age group. All-sex smokers were most numerous in the 25 to 34 age group.

Regarding smoking habits, 16% of respondents admitted to consuming nicotine and tobacco every day, compared to 15% in 2014-16. However, the number of cigarettes consumed decreased with half of the smokers surveyed consuming less than half a pack - less than ten cigarettes - a day. Meanwhile, 43% smoked 10 to 20 cigarettes a day.

A positive aspect of this survey was that in 2017, 55% of respondents wanted to stop smoking, compared to 53% in 2016, whilst 22% wanted to reduce their dependence on smoking, compared to 21% in 2016.

Nevertheless, the Cancer Foundation has stated its commitment to strengthening the anti-smoking law in force since August 2017 and to the campaign for higher priced tobacco products to reduce smoking rates, especially among young people.