Luxembourg is smoking slightly less. In 2024, 23% of residents aged 16 and over said they were still smoking--15% of them daily--compared with 27% the previous year. These are the findings of the annual tobacco survey conducted by Ilres on behalf of the Cancer Foundation and the ministry of health and social security. But this downward trend is accompanied by the emergence of new uses, particularly among younger people.

Because whilst traditional cigarettes are declining, they are also giving way to new products. Last year, 26% of 16-24 year olds used e-cigarettes. Puffs--disposable e-cigarettes--are by far the most popular among this age group, with a use rate of 93%. Taste and pleasure are the main reasons given.

Another worrying phenomenon: 16% of young people use nicotine sachets, “a highly addictive product,” the organisation points out. “It is crucial to regulate these new nicotine products in order to protect our young people from the real dangers associated with them,” said Cancer Foundation director Margot Heirendt.

In addition, passive smoking remains widespread. Indoors, 38% of residents say they are exposed to it; outdoors, the figure rises to 71%, particularly on terraces or at bus stops. Almost a third of young people are exposed to it every day.

The desire to stop smoking is also gaining ground, particularly among young people. Among 16-24 year-olds, 62% want to stop smoking, and one in two has already tried to quit in the last 12 months. In the population as a whole, 46% of smokers express this desire, and 34% have already tried to do so. But in 82% of cases, these attempts are made without any support. Whilst there is no lack of motivation, there is still a brake: stress, identified as the main obstacle, particularly among the unemployed, the self-employed and homemakers.

This article was originally published in French.