Protecting young people from tobacco and nicotine is a priority if we are to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2040. Photo: iStock

Protecting young people from tobacco and nicotine is a priority if we are to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2040. Photo: iStock

The findings of the 2025 smoking prevalence survey are clear: young people are particularly affected by tobacco and nicotine. In light of this, Luxembourg must step up its efforts to reduce the appeal of these products and provide long-term protection for future generations.

The survey “2025 national survey on smoking and nicotine use in Luxembourg” confirms a worrying trend: young people are particularly vulnerable to tobacco and nicotine. Whilst 31% of residents use tobacco, this figure rises to 41% among 16–24-year-olds. Young people are now specifically targeted by tobacco and nicotine products. Whether it’s cigarettes, vaping, shisha or nicotine pouches, no form of consumption spares them.

The survey also shows that new nicotine products, marketed as more appealing or less harmful, act as a gateway to smoking. People start very early: nearly three-quarters of smokers began before the age of 18, and more than a third of young people who started by vaping say they subsequently took up smoking cigarettes. However, one encouraging finding is worth highlighting: more than one in two young users wants to quit.

These findings confirm the need for a “Smoke-Free Generation 2040” strategy. Its aim is clear: to enable children and young people to grow up in a smoke-free and nicotine-free environment, so that they can become the first “smoke-free generation of adults” by 2040.

The progress made shows that change is possible. Today, 37 partners are involved in this initiative; 21 local authorities have been awarded the “Smoke-Free Local Authority” status; 13 sports clubs; and other committed organisations are working to protect young people from exposure to tobacco.

However, the survey results also show that we cannot be satisfied with the progress made so far. Fondation Cancer calls for the continued expansion of smoke-free areas, for tighter regulation of new nicotine products, the appeal of which contributes to normalising addiction, to increase the price of tobacco and nicotine products in order to reduce their accessibility, particularly for young people, and to protect public health policies from the interests of the tobacco industry, in accordance with the WHO framework convention on tobacco control, ratified by Luxembourg in 2005.

We also call for improved access to support for giving up smoking. Too many smokers are still trying to quit on their own, even though medical support significantly increases the chances of success. Finally, reducing smoking rates requires bold political decisions to be taken today. Strengthening prevention, reducing the appeal of tobacco and nicotine products, and protecting young people are investments whose benefits will be felt for decades to come.

The first three years of the “Tobacco-Free Generation 2040” initiative have shown that collective action can bring about a shift in social norms. The ambition of a tobacco-free generation is not a utopian dream: it is a collective responsibility towards future generations.

For further information, please see www.generationsanstabac.lu.

A full version of this article is also available in French.

This promotional article was written by Fondation Cancer as part of the company's membership with the Paperjam Club. If you would like to become a member of the Club, please contact us at club@paperjam.lu.