In Europe, 24% of citizens smoke and the countries where tobacco consumers are the most numerous are Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia and Romania.
- Across all European Union (EU) countries, there are 24% smokers on average, all sexes combined.
- More men use tobacco products (28%) than women (21%).
- 32% of 25-39 year olds smoke, which makes this age group the most affected by this phenomenon.
Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Romania: here are the four countries where people smoke the most in Europe, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey on smoking, reported by Euronews. The percentages range from 37% for the first to 34% for Romania. On the other hand, the country where there are the fewest smokers is Sweden (8%), then the Netherlands (11%) and Denmark (14%).
Men smoke more than women
With 27% smokers, France is above the European average. In fact, the European Union (EU) has 24% tobacco enthusiasts, all sexes combined. But more men use tobacco products (28%) than women (21%). In addition, those who are unemployed smoke more (40%) than workers (37%) or managers (21%). Finally, people in financial precariousness are more inclined to this bad habit: 38%, compared to only 21% among those who have no money problems.
Concerning tobacco products, packet cigarettes are the most used (77%). They are followed by rolls (23%) and, in a much smaller proportion, by electronic cigarettes (3%). On average, the number of cigarettes smoked daily is 14 per day. However, this figure varies greatly from one country to another.
32% of 25-39 year olds smoke, which makes this age group the most affected by this phenomenon. On the other hand, the lowest rate is among people over 55 years old. As people get older, many people try and succeed in quitting smoking. Some try to do it alone, but, more than nine times out of ten, willpower is not enough, according toHealth Insurance.
To stop smoking, the ideal is to seek help from a health professional. He or she will be able to help you psychologically and prescribe nicotine substitutes, which reduce the desire to smoke and the symptoms linked to withdrawal. If this is not enough, the doctor can then advise you on medical treatments to help with withdrawal which act directly on the brain.
Tobacco, leading cause of preventable death
In Europe, 700,000 deaths are attributable to tobacco each year, which therefore constitutes the greatest preventable health risk. In France, according to Health Insuranceit is also the leading cause of avoidable mortality, with 75,000 deaths linked to this product, including 45,000 from cancer.
“[Le tabac] is responsible for more than 8 out of 10 lung cancers, nearly 70% of cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus) and 35% of bladder cancers, can we read on the website of the National Cancer Institute. It would also be involved in the development of cancers of the liver, pancreas, stomach, kidney, cervix, breast, colon-rectum, ovary and certain leukemias. That is, in total, 17 different locations of cancers”. Good reasons to make resolutions for the year 2025 to quit smoking.
