However, the phenomenon is particularly evident in the north European countries which are, with some exeptions, characterised by lower and lower per capita consumption and a more pronounced recessive trend than elsewhere in the European Union. The southern European countries, on the contrary, show stability in consumption and historically higher per capita consumption levels. A significant exception is the Spanish consumption which, in particular, shows continuing growth. Young people, especially women, are continuing to take up smoking. In the youngest age groups smoking habits among women and girls are becoming similar to those among boys and men.
Women are now more likely than men to take up smoking and less likely to give it up.
This is alarming, given the increased risk of mortality and low birth weight associated with babies born to mothers who smoke. In most countries the worst consequences of the tobacco epidemic are yet to come, particurarly among women. To summarise, not only premature death and illnesses are involved, but also costs to the Member States of medical treatment, lost working days and enormous costs on the health care systems. The Consumer Committee lends its full support in giving a higher profile to the smoking problem and moving it up the political agenda in the Member States and at the European Union level. The Consumer Committee welcomes the new emphasis put by EU on public health and supports anti-smoking measures to be undertaken as a matter of priority.