A brand new report which can be read in full
hereFrom the report summary:-
TOBACCO CONSUMPTION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
? There has been a decrease of two percentage points in the proportion of smokers
since 2012.
? The proportion of smokers in the 15-24 year-old age group has declined by
four percentage points, from 29% to 25%.
? In most countries a decrease was observed, most notably in Ireland (-8
percentage points), Austria and Malta (both -7), Finland, Luxembourg and
Latvia (all -6) and the UK (-5).
? Since 2006, most Member States have recorded a year-on-year decline in
the proportion of smokers, most notably Estonia (-11), the UK (-11) and
Italy (-10).
? As was the case in 2012, smokers are more likely to be found in Southern Europe,
while those who have stopped smoking tend to be found in Northern Europe.
Overall, 20% in the EU say they have stopped smoking.
? Boxed cigarettes are, despite the recent decrease, the most popular with smokers
– 91% have at least tried them, compared with 45% for hand-rolled cigarettes,
18% for cigars and cigarillos and 9% for pipes.
? Compared with those aged 18-24, a larger proportion of smokers aged 15-
17 regularly smoke boxed cigarettes (94% vs. 89%), and hand rolled
cigarettes (52% vs. 37%).
? A higher proportion of ex-smokers than current smokers have tried cigars (20%
vs. 7%), cigarillos (18% vs. 7%) or pipes (15% vs. 5%).
? Smokers smoke an average of 14.2 cigarettes per day, a marginal increase of 0.2
since 2012, and the younger the respondent, the less they smoke.
? Use of water pipes (16%) and oral, chewing or nasal tobacco (5%) has remained
relatively stable.
? Notably, 33% of 15-24 year-olds have tried water pipes compared with 5%
of those aged 55+.
? Price (69%) is more important than brand (66%) when choosing cigarettes,
although taste is the most important factor (87%).
MOTIVATIONS FOR STARTING/STOPPING SMOKING TOBACCO
? The average age at which Europeans start smoking regularly is 17.6 – this has not
changed since the previous survey in 2012.
? Boxed cigarettes are the most frequently used first tobacco product (83%),
followed by hand-rolled (6%) or water pipe (5%).
? The majority of smokers have tried to quit (59%), with 19% having tried in the
last 12 months.
? Nicotine replacement medications (12%) and e-cigarettes (10%) were the most
common aids used to try to quit, but most (65%) try to quit without assistance.
However, since 2012 there has been a five percentage point reduction in the
proportion of smokers who try to quit without any assistance.
E-CIGARETTE CONSUMPTION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
? 12% of Europeans have at least tried e-cigarettes or similar devices, while 2% are
currently using them. Since 2012, the number who have at least tried these
products has increased considerably (cf. 7% vs 12% in 2012 and 2014,
respectively).6
? Younger respondents were more likely to have tried e-cigarettes than older
people (13% of 15-24 year-olds vs. 3% of those aged 55+).
? Amongst respondents who have tried e-cigarettes, 30% regularly use e-cigarettes
containing nicotine, compared with 10% for nicotine-free versions.
? Flavour (39%) and price (38%) were key to choosing an e-cigarette or similar
device, followed by the amount of nicotine (27%).
? Respondents most often say they have started using e-cigarettes in order to
reduce their tobacco use or to stop smoking (67%), while 44% do so to smoke
where tobacco smoking is not allowed, and 24% because they are attractive, cool
or fashionable.
? Using e-cigarettes only helps a small proportion of smokers to quit – just 14%
were able to quit completely, while 13% succeeded initially but then started
again, and 21% were able to reduce their tobacco use but not quit. However,
49% said the use of e-cigarettes had not helped them reduce or stop smoking
tobacco, while 4% of this group increased their tobacco use.
AWARENESS AND ATTITUDES
? Tar or nicotine levels are most mentioned as an indication of the level of harm
from a cigarette brand (32%), followed by cigarettes without additives (15%).
? The proportion of Europeans who think e-cigarettes are harmful has increased
sharply, from 27% in 2012 to 52% in the current survey.
? The majority of Europeans are in favour of policy measures affecting tobacco and
e-cigarettes.
? This is particularly the case for improving the traceability of tobacco
products in order to reduce their illicit trade - even if this makes them a
few cents more expensive (70%), banning advertising of tobacco in shops
or at points of sale (67%), banning online tobacco sales (64%), or banning
the use of e-cigarettes when smoking is prohibited (63%).
