While the proportion of smokers remains unchanged, the survey released 29 May 2018 shows a shift in favour of cutting back Pexels

While the proportion of smokers remains unchanged, the survey released 29 May 2018 shows a shift in favour of cutting back Pexels

The annual smoking survey, commissioned by Fondation Cancer, found that of the 4,225 residents polled, 21% smoked, a figure which has remained stable since 2013.

On the whole, men were the most likely to smoke, with 24% of men admitting to smoking and 19% of women. Women in the 55 to 64 and 65 to 74 age bands were, however, more likely than men to smoke with a ration of 23%-18% and 21%-14%, respectively.

Cutting back

While the proportion of smokers remains unchanged, the survey shows a shift in favour of cutting back. The proportion of people smoking more than two packets of cigarettes per day fell from 2% to 1% since 2016.

An even stronger trend was recorded among the proportion smoking 1 to 2 packets per day, which fell from 9% to 5%, while those smoking half a packet rose from 41% to 43%. More than half of respondents (55%) said they wanted to quit smoking, a short rise on 2016, when 53% said they wanted to kick the habit.

Meanwhile, 22% said they wanted to cut down, up from 21% in 2016. At the same time, more than three quarters of respondents said they were not happy with their tobacco addiction.

Luxembourg has among the cheapest prices in Europe for tobacco products.

The Fondation Cancer advocates for VAT increases on tobacco products to further bring the smoking numbers down.