Greeks are the heaviest smokers in the Community, followed by the Danes, Spaniards and Austrians. Conversely, the lightest smokers are the Finns, Swedes and Portuguese. One of the reports dealt with smoking bans in public places in relation to the application of a 1989 resolution on the subject by the Council of Ministers, and reflects the progress made in member states to create more smoke-free environments. Published here are the main points from the Communication.
Men continue to smoke more than women, though the gap is closing.
Greeks are the heaviest smokers in the Community, followed by the Danes, Spaniards and Austrians. Conversely, the lightest smokers are the Finns, Swedes and Portuguese. The steady increase in the numbers of young women who take up smoking are attributed to changes in lifestyle and successful niche marketing. If unchecked, this trend could lead to a narrowing of the current higher life expectancy of women over men. The narrowing health gap is already seen as the toll of smoking emerges.