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.
