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Smoking in Denmark

In Denmark, smoking is legal but with certain restrictions. Based on these regulations, the sale and use of cigarettes are legal with an appropriate license. Purchasing them online and from vending machines is permitted, and importing cigarettes for trade is allowed with an appropriate license. However, all forms of advertising of tobacco products including cigarettes are banned. Health warnings on cigarette packaging are required, the minimum legal age for purchasing them is 18 years, and there are restrictions on smoking in public places. Cigarettes are subject to a total taxation rate of 81% and an excise tax rate of 60%. Despite these regulatory efforts, in 2024 Denmark reported around 781,000 current adult smokers, corresponding to an adult current smoking prevalence of 15.6%. Among adult males, the current smoking prevalence was 16.5%, while among adult females it was 14.7% in 2024. This presents an overall reduction when current smoking prevalence was 16.2%. The adult daily smoking prevalence was 11.6% in 2023. Mortality data show that in 2021 tobacco smoking led to 9,369 deaths in the country, including 5,555 among males and 3,814 among females. Overall, smoking accounted for 16.5% of all deaths in Denmark in 2021, including 19.08% of male deaths and 13.79% of female deaths.

Read articles from Denmark

August 31, 2022 by medicalnewstoday.com

Smoking actually damages heart structure, study finds

Past research shows that smoking has a negative impact on a person’s blood vesselsTrusted Source — more than 30% of deathsTrusted Source from coronary heart disease occur from active smoking or secondhand smokeTrusted Source exposure. Now, researchers from Herlev and Gentofte Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, have found evidence suggesting that smoking not only impacts a person’s blood vessels but also weakens the structure of the heart itself, impacting how well it functions. 

April 08, 2022 by thelocal.dk

EU rules dampen Danish government plan to ban future cigarette sales

The government last month unveiled plans to ensure that future generations are tobacco-free by banning the sale of cigarettes and other nicotine products to anyone born after 2010.

People under 18 are not legally allowed to purchase cigarettes under current Danish laws, so although the ban would not have an effect for six years, it would prevent people born after 2010 from ever buying cigarettes.

But the Danish plan now looks unlikely in its current form because EU member states may not forbid the sale of tobacco, according to a response given to a parliamentary question by the health minister, Magnus Heunicke.

March 17, 2022 by euronews.com

Denmark proposes ban on selling cigarettes to people born after 2010

Denmark has unveiled plans to ban the sale of cigarettes and nicotine products to any citizens born after 2010.

The move aims to prevent the next generation of Danes from touching any form of tobacco, Health Minister Magnus Heunicke told a press conference.

"If necessary, we are ready to ban sales to this generation [born in 2010] by gradually raising the purchase age limit," Heunicke said.

 

Under current rules, Danish citizens under the age of 18 are banned from buying tobacco or smoking electronic cigarettes.

But around 31% of people aged between 15 and 29 still smoke, Heunicke said.

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