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Smokers make up 26 percent of the Estonian population, slightly less than the average for the European Union, the European Parliament said on Monday.
Proportion of smokers in Estonia below EU average
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25th February 2013, 18:28
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Basing on data of the European Commission, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and World Health Organization, more than a quarter or 28 percent of Europeans smoke, the European Parliament said.
Smoking is at the same level as in Estonia also in Denmark and Germany. Greece tops the rankings with 40 percent. Sweden is at the other end of the scale with just 13 percent of smokers. However, Sweden has a widespread tradition of using snus or moistened smokeless tobacco and is the sole EU member state where the sale of snus is allowed.
Some 94 percent of smokers start smoking before they turn 25, it appears from the infographic published on the website of the European Parliament.
In order to reduce the alarmingly high rate of smokers, the European Commission proposed in December to review the tobacco directive and establish more stringent rules for the production, presentation and sale of tobacco products. The European Parliament's public health committee is holding a hearing on the proposals on Monday.
The EU executive proposed bolder warnings on cigarette packs and banning of strong flavoring ingredients in tobacco products.