One in Three Young Women Smoke in Luxembourg

In the lead up to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) World No Tobacco Day (31 May), the Fondation Cancer has published its annual survey on smoking patterns in Luxembourg.

One of the most notable findings from this 2018 survey, which featured 3,057 people aged 16 and over residing in Luxembourg, was that one in three young women between the ages of 18 and 24 smokes. This represents a higher percentage (30%) than for men in this age group (22%). 

In general, the survey confirmed 2017 trends with men still predominating among smokers overall. However, this was no longer case for the 18-24 age group, where a record high number of young women were smokers. In addition, the survey showed that one in four teenagers smoke shisha, representing a two-point increase over one year. Shisha smoking even increased by 140% (from 5% to 12%) among 25-34 year olds. It was also in this age group that the highest number of smokers of all sexes were found.

One positive change compared to the 2017 survey was that more smokers said they wanted to quit smoking in 2018 (57%) than in the year before (55%).

Nevertheless, the fact that one-fifth of residents in Luxembourg were smokers in 2018, including one in three young women, has led to the Fondation Cancer's calls for significantly higher prices for tobacco products. Indeed, according to the WHO, it is mainly through a dissuasive price policy that a sustainable reduction in tobacco consumption can be achieved. Such a policy is also intended to prevent young people from smoking in the first place.