Attitudes Of Europeans Towards Tobacco

Special Eurobarometer
E uropean
Commission

Attitudes of Europeans
towards Tobacco
Fieldwork October - November 2006
Publication May 2007

Special Eurobarometer 272c / Wave 66.2 – TNS Opinion & Social

Report

T his survey was requested by Directorate General SANCO and coordinated by Directorate
General COMMUNICATION
T his document does not represent the point of view of theEuropean Commission.
The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.

Special EUROBAROMETER 272

Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco

Table of contents
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 3
1. SMOKING IN THE EU............................................................. 4
1.1. Smokers and non-smokersin the EU population ................... 4
1.1.1 People who have never smoked .................................... 5
1.1.2. Smokers of packed cigarettes...................................... 7
1.1.3. People who have stopped smoking ............................... 7
1.2. Smoking habits................................................................ 8
1.2.1. Frequency of tobaccoconsumption............................... 8
1.2.2. Frequency and number of cigarettes smoked per day.... 10
2. GIVING UP SMOKING ......................................................... 12
2.1. Recent attempts to give up smoking ................................. 12
2.2. The duration of last attempt ............................................ 15
2.3. Seeking help from a doctor or healthprofessional............... 16
2.4. Alternative products to aid in smoking cessation................. 18
2.5. Reasons for starting to smoke again ................................. 21
3. EXPOSURE TO TOBACCO SMOKE .......................................... 23
3.1. Exposure to tobacco smoke at home................................. 23
3.2. Exposure to tobacco smoke at work.................................. 253.2.1 Exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces or offices
...................................................................................... 25
3.2.2 Exposure to tobacco smoke in other workplaces............ 26
4. ATTITUDES TOWARDS SMOKE-FREE POLICIES ....................... 27
4.1. Awareness of smoke-free regulations................................ 27
4.2. Smoke-free public places................................................ 30
4.3. Smoke-free offices and other indoor workplaces ................. 31
4.4. Smoke-free public spaces................................................ 33
4.5. Smoke-free restaurants .................................................. 35
4.6. Smoke-free bars and pubs .............................................. 37

1

SpecialEUROBAROMETER 272

Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco

5. AWARENESS OF HARM CAUSED BY TOBACCO SMOKE.............. 39
5.1. Effects of smoking on non-smokers .................................. 39
5.2. Consideration for non-smokers, children and pregnant women
......................................................................................... 42
5.2.1. Smoking at home.................................................... 42
5.2.2. Smoking in the car .................................................. 47
CONCLUSION ........................................................................... 52

2

Special EUROBAROMETER 272

Attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco

INTRODUCTION
More than half a million people die every year in the European Union as a direct or
indirectconsequence of smoking. This makes nicotine addiction the most important
avoidable cause of disease and premature death. Passive smoking is also having a
negative impact on the health of Europe’s non-smokers. It is estimated that 25% of
all cancer deaths and 15% of all deaths in the Union could be attributed to smoking.
In order to curb this epidemic, the European Union is actively developing a...