Credit: Fondation Cancer Luxembourg

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, observed on Friday 31 May 2024, the Fondation Cancer Luxembourg aims to highlight the "Génération Sans Tabac" (tobacco-free generation) strategy, supported by 37 partners; the initiative aims to allow future generations to grow up in a smoke-free environment.

The results of the 2023 smoking survey in Luxembourg revealed that more than a third of young people aged sixteen to 24 declared they are daily or occasional smokers. In addition, 47% of shisha users and 36% of electronic cigarette users were also among youth of this age group. These statistics show a significant increase from the previous year, highlighting the importance of taking action, Fondation Cancer emphasised.

The strategy’s ambition is to enable today's children and youth to grow up in a tobacco-free environment and to become the first generation of tobacco-free adults by 2040.

Six concrete measures are planned to create a tobacco-free generation:

  • significantly and annually increasing the price of tobacco and its associated products;
  • preventing young people from getting involved in smoking and regularly carrying out prevention campaigns;  
  • banning all forms of advertising and misappropriation of advertising;
  • reducing the availability of tobacco products;
  • effectively protecting the population from passive smoking;
  • promoting smoking cessation and setting up an effective cessation support programme.

“In light of these figures, it is obvious that young people are exposed to smoking and tobacco-derived products, which is a major concern. We want to protect young people, and the tobacco-free generation strategy is the best way to achieve this,” added Margot Heirendt, Director of the Fondation Cancer.

Since its launch, the “Commune Sans Tabac” (tobacco-free municipality) label, an initiative of Génération Sans Tabac, has already been requested by six municipalities. This success demonstrates not only the relevance of Génération Sans Tabac, but also the collective interest in a tobacco-free future. Labelled municipalities are leading the way by creating public spaces where everyone’s health is preserved.