Young Europeans still drawn to tobacco — WHO report
March 02, 2026 by dw.com
Young Europeans still drawn to tobacco — WHO report
The WHO predicts the highest tobacco use rates by 2030 in Europe due to women and youth. Despite various countries regulating tobacco products and advertising, the region leads in per capita tobacco use. The tobacco industry targets young people with flavored products and social media marketing. Around 1.1 million people die annually in Europe due to tobacco-related diseases. While some countries like Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands are pushing back by regulating novel products, tobacco control efforts in Europe remain non-uniform, with weak regulations allowing youth tobacco consumption. Despite efforts, only a third of European nations have smoke-free laws, and tobacco prices have decreased in two-thirds of countries.
