Smoking prevalence down – 26 percent smoke daily

A recent published study shows a remarkable decrease in the number of people smoking daily between 2002 and 2003, of 3 percent, 26 down from 29 percent. The research shows that the decrease is greater among young people. In the age-group 16 to 24 the smoking prevalence among people smoking daily has gone down from 28 to 23 percent.

These are very gratifying numbers, says the Minister of Health Mr. Dagfinn Høybråten

This shows that the efforts laid down in working with tobacco control and tobacco prevention, from NGOs, Trade Unions, Health Care System have lead to good results. First and foremost, the numbers show that many people have taken their desire to quit smoking seriously. These people really deserve credit. Even though these numbers are very gratifying, it is important to continue the effective work being done in the field of tobacco control and tobacco prevention, which will bring us closer to the vision of a tobacco-free society, says the Minister of Health.

Statistics Norway (SSB) each year compiles statistics on tobacco use. People aged 16 to 74 are included in the survey. In 2003 26,3 percent of the population said that they smoke daily. The corresponding number for 2002 was 29,4 and the decrease of 3,1 percent is statistically significant.

The number of youth smoking daily has fallen from 27,8 to 22,8 percent. The number of youth smoking now and then in the same age-group, has fallen from 17,3 to 15,5 percent. The number of youth not smoking at all has gone up significantly with almost 7 percent.

Information on campaigns and other information initiatives by the Directorate for Health and Social Affairs can be found on www.shdir.no.

More information on the study on tobacco use in 2003 can be found on www.tobakk.no.