Credit: Fondation Cancer

The Fondation Cancer has published an initial progress report on the national "Génération Sans Tabac 2040" strategy, two years after its launch.

The foundation noted that the tobacco-free generation strategy has made concrete progress, with an expanding network of partners and increased mobilisation to protect young people from nicotine products.

Launched in March 2023 by the Fondation Cancer and institutional partners, Génération Sans Tabac 2040 is part of national efforts to combat smoking. It brings together local authorities, health stakeholders and the voluntary sector around a shared objective: to raise a generation free from tobacco and nicotine addiction.

With an "ambitious but necessary" goal of reducing smoking prevalence to under 5% by 2040, the strategy currently counts 37 partners.

Key achievements to date include:

  • sixteen municipalities - representing nearly 178,000 inhabitants - have been certified as "smoke-free" ("Commune Sans Tabac"), creating tobacco-free public environments to protect people from secondhand smoke;
  • the "TabaCoffret" innovative educational tool is now being integrated into specific training courses in secondary schools. As of June 2025, 65 TabaCoffrets have been distributed to all Luxembourg secondary schools;
  • TabaCoffret training courses are scheduled for autumn 2025, targeting professionals in the field of childhood and youth;
  • launch of the "Carte Tabac-Stop" - a QR code resource directing smokers to cessation support (distribution of 100,000 cards to healthcare professionals and hospitals currently underway).

The Fondation Cancer also highlighted the upcoming launch of the Tobacco-Free Sports Club ("Club de Sport Sans Tabac") initiative in September 2025.

In November 2024, Catherine Theves joined Generation Sans Tabac as strategy coordinator. Her main mission is to ensure the implementation of the strategy, coordinate partnerships, lead advocacy actions and actively promote the initiative.

"Génération Sans Tabac is not a campaign. It's a national public health strategy. Together, let's continue to take action," Ms Theves commented.

While traditional tobacco consumption is declining, the Fondation Cancer warned of a surge in alternative nicotine products targeting young people. According to the 2024 ILRES survey, 16% of sixteen- to 24-year-olds use nicotine pouches and 26% of young people vape e-cigarettes, with 93% of them using "puffs".

"These new products are not harmless. They are attracting a new generation of users and fuelling addiction. The Fondation Cancer has long warned about their dangers," stated Margot Heirendt, Director of the Fondation Cancer.

The foundation also warned that while the tobacco industry positions itself as a partner of a tobacco-free generation, thus promoting "smokeless alternatives" in the media, addictive products should not be passed off as trendy lifestyle innovations. According to the foundation, this shift in usage towards products "wrongly perceived as less harmful" makes an update of the legislative framework "all the more urgent".

The Fondation Cancer said it is pursuing, together with its partners, a long-term mission of protecting younger generations, strengthening prevention and regulating all products containing nicotine. Bill 8333 on tobacco control moves in this direction by aligning Luxembourg legislation with the latest European standards. The foundation noted that it has already submitted - at the request of the Health and Social Security Committee - two official opinions on this bill and continues to advocate for strong and consistent regulation that meets public health challenges.

The Fondation Cancer welcomed progress that goes beyond the requirements of the European directive regarding the regulation of new nicotine products. However, to fully protect young people, it argued that it is essential to go even further. Instead of limiting nicotine dosages, the foundation recommended a complete ban on the sale and consumption of nicotine pouches, new nicotine products and disposable e-cigarettes in all public spaces, in order to minimise the risk of increased addiction and the transition to traditional tobacco products.

The Fondation Cancer also stressed the importance of the ban on the consumption of tobacco and related products in all public spaces for minors.

"Legislation must allow us to anticipate the tobacco industry's strategies. No nicotine and / or tobacco product should remain in a regulatory grey area," said Margot Heirendt.

For more information about Génération Sans Tabac 2040, visit https://www.generationsanstabac.lu/