Stupid? Taking up smoking is even more stupid

On 31 May each year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day, to inform the public on the health risks associated with using tobacco and advocate for effective public health policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

Tobacco control measures around the world

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the world, currently responsible for the deaths of 1 in 10 adults worldwide. According to the WHO, the global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are non-smokers dying from breathing second-hand smoke.

In terms of reducing smoking rates and, therefore, tobacco-related deaths and illnesses, the most effective tobacco control measures around the world seek to reduce demand by banning advertising and banning smoking in public places, providing help to give up smoking, and pricing policies.

Tobacco control measures in Luxembourg

Luxembourg ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005 and has been actively involved in drawing up the recent European Tobacco Products Directive.

Preventing tobacco use among young people is a public health priority in Luxembourg. The Ministry of Health is therefore making every effort to implement effective prevention measures, such as providing information and raising awareness among the general public, and educational initiatives in schools.

There have been a number of legislative measures. The entry into force on 1 January 2014 of the new smoking law of 18 July 2013 was a watershed moment. This new law reinforced the smoking law of 11 August 2006, primarily by extending the smoking ban to drinking establishments and nightclubs, venues that are particularly popular with young people.

National smoking plan

Developed in 2009, the 'national smoking plan' highlights the need for a cross-sector approach to prevention, by engaging all stakeholders that are active in the field of prevention. The priorities established in this plan are reducing tobacco use among young people, protecting against passive smoking, and providing help to give up smoking. Ongoing reviews of the 'Smoking Plan' will include assessing measures taken since 2009 and analysing the impact of the new legislation on the behaviour of smokers, as well as on the satisfaction, health and well-being of the general population.

Smoking survey

Each year, a smoking survey is conducted in Luxembourg by the Cancer Foundation. The results of the 2013 survey show that:

• 21 % of the population smokes;
• 6 out of 10 smokers would like to give up;
• 19 % of smokers would like to smoke less;
•  the 'shisha' phenomenon is most popular among 15-24 year-olds, accounting for 21 %.

Electronic cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are another worrying phenomenon, particularly among young people, for whom they have become fashionable. A number of questions are raised, given the absence of data on the percentage of users and a lack of insight on the long-term health risks of such products. However, several instances of poisoning recorded abroad, primarily caused by e-liquids, indicate that electronic cigarettes are not without risks. The Minister of Health has published a warning on the Ministry of Health website, pending the results of studies currently being undertaken abroad to determine exactly how harmful these products are.

Research projects

The Public Health Research Centre (Centre de recherche public de la santé - CRP-Santé) is currently undertaking a number of research projects on the health of the population in Luxembourg. These projects will help to gauge the prevalence of smoking in Luxembourg and measure the harmful effects on health:

• Health Examination Survey-EHES;
• European Health Interview Survey-EHIS;
• Health Behaviour in School-aged children- HBSC.

Information materials - Initiatives

The campaign comprises several initiatives:

• a 'selfie' photo competition will be arranged, to show that picking up smoking is a bad choice and that "smoking doesn't make you sexy, attractive or grown up; it ages you prematurely, gives you a pallid, grey complexion, and makes you ill and addicted"). The winning entries will be named at the end of June, with several tickets to the Rock & Field festival among the prizes.
• Participants in the selfie competition will be able to share their thoughts through the virtual 'stupidworldcup.lu' platform.
• Posters will be distributed in secondary schools, communes, medical practices, pharmacies, clinics and hospitals, medical centres, health and social welfare centres, selected other ministries, and various associations/NGOs.
• A bus shelter poster campaign will run from 3 to 9 June.
• Posts will be published on the 'Healthy & Friends' Facebook page to inform the public and invite them to take part in the competition.

Adverts

Radio ads: new smoking law