Since New Year's Eve 2013, bars and nightclubs in Luxembourg have been devoid of ashtrays, marking a decade since the implementation of a law aimed at safeguarding employees and patrons from the dangers of passive smoking.
The legislation, enacted on 1 January 2014, was a response to the health risks associated with tobacco smoke, which contains over 6,000 chemical substances, including 60 categorised as carcinogenic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 8 million people globally succumb to cigarette-related illnesses annually, with 1.3 million attributed to passive smoking.
Lucienne Thommes, Director of the Cancer Foundation, acknowledges the absence of conclusive studies highlighting the health benefits brought about by the smoking ban over the past ten years. However, research on the impact of passive smoking on children reveals significant advantages. Studies indicate that infants not exposed to cigarette smoke have a reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and are less prone to developing asthma, allergies, and otitis.
As of 2022, an ILRES study discloses that 28% of Luxembourg's residents smoke, with a higher prevalence (37%) among respondents aged 18-34.
Thommes emphasises that the smoking ban alone has not necessarily led to decreased smoking rates, as various factors contribute to effective smoking prevention. The pandemic, for instance, has hindered prevention campaigns, and Thommes highlights the pivotal role of cigarette prices, citing Luxembourg's comparatively lower cost of €5.50 per pack. In fact, Luxembourg has one of the lowest prices in Europe: In France, the price of a packet of cigarettes has been raised to €12.50 in 2024, while it stands between €13 and €14 in various countries in northern Europe.
Our colleagues from RTL Télé reached out to Minister of Health Martine Deprez to ask whether there are any plans to adjust the price of cigarettes in the future. In response, the Minister indicated that the coalition agreement lacks explicit statements on the matter. The price discussion, she clarified, occurs at the government level, and any adjustments would be subject to future deliberations.
Despite a ban on cigarette advertising in Luxembourg since the late 1980s, the visibility of cigarettes in daily life and films persists. An analysis of 235 films on a popular streaming platform revealed that a staggering 48% of them prominently feature smoking.
Lucienne Thommes underscores the impact of such pervasive imagery, especially on children. Even though cigarette advertising is prohibited, the prevalence of smoking scenes in films and public spaces contributes to a distorted perception among youngsters. Thommes explains, "When we conduct our own surveys and we ask young people what they think the rate of smokers is in Luxembourg, they say something like 80%. For these children, it's so normal to see cigarettes everywhere that they think everyone must be a smoker. And that's not good either."
50% of Luxembourg residents who smoke express a desire to quit.
The WHO emphasises the critical role of legislation in curbing global tobacco consumption, estimating that without such regulations, there could be an additional 300 million smokers worldwide.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish and French)
