World No Tobacco Day – Survey reveals drop in smokers in EU
European news, posted May 31st, 2006
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The number of people smoking in the EU has dropped from 33% in 2002 to 27% by Autumn 2005, and 80% of Europeans would like to see smoking banned in public places.
These are two of the main findings of the European Commission’s latest Eurobarometer survey on tobacco, released to mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on 31 May.
The European Commission is fully supporting WNTD by backing a wide range of anti-tobacco actions, including 25 national events of the HELP anti-tobacco campaign.
Changed attitudes revealed
Some of the main results of the Eurobarometer survey are:
- The percentage of people smoking in the EU was 33% in 2002, and 27% in 2005.
- The number of people saying they have never smoked has risen from 42% to 47% since 2002. 57% of women have never smoked, compared to 35% of men.
- The number of people who have given up smoking has risen from 19% to 22%.
- Women and young people smoke the least. The drop in smoking is most marked among these groups too, although there are considerable variations among Member States.
- Tobacco consumption varies considerably from one Member State to another.
- 75% of people are aware that tobacco smoke can be dangerous for non-smokers.
- Young people are the most bothered by smoke, due to its unpleasant aspects, such as smell.
- 56% of people are in favour of a smoking ban in restaurants.
- Support for smoking restrictions is highest in the smoke-free Member States – suggesting that approval for smoke-free policies tends to increase following their implementation.
Source: European Commission Press Release, 30 May 2006
