Luxembourg is experiencing a notable public health milestone: smoking rates are on a clear downward trajectory. The most recent data, commissioned by the Cancer Foundation and Luxembourg’s Ministry of Health and Social Security and conducted by research firm Ilres, reveals that only 23% of residents aged 16 and over now smoke—down from 27% in 2023. Daily smoking, specifically, has fallen to 15%. This is encouraging news for advocates of public health and tobacco harm reduction alike.
Yet, while traditional cigarette use declines, a different trend is emerging—especially among younger Luxembourgers. E-cigarette use among 16–24-year-olds stands at 26%, and 16% in this group report using nicotine pouches. Disposable vapes—known as “puffs”—are overwhelmingly dominant, with 93% of young vapers choosing this form. This generational shift to non-combustible nicotine products offers an opportunity for harm reduction, but also invites renewed regulatory scrutiny.
Youth, nicotine, and the new normal
The contrast between youth uptake and older demographics is striking: only 3% of those over 35 use nicotine pouches, suggesting that these products are not displacing traditional tobacco use across all age groups equally. Nevertheless, their popularity among young people should not be viewed as a setback, but rather a sign that young nicotine users are choosing less harmful options from the outset—bypassing combustible tobacco altogether.
However, Luxembourg, like several EU nations, appears to be edging toward restrictive legislation. In line with European Union directives, the government has proposed new rules aimed at curbing the appeal of nicotine pouches and other alternative products. Measures include banning sales to minors, restricting advertising, limiting flavours, and capping nicotine concentrations.
Lessons from Europe which Luxembourg shouldn’t ignore
Luxembourg’s evolving regulatory stance echoes trends seen elsewhere in Europe—many of which offer cautionary tales. Spain, for instance, has seen a dramatic decline in smoking—from 33.1% in 2022 to 25.8% in 2024—coinciding with a sharp rise in vaping. Daily e-cigarette use increased by 30% during this period. Yet, despite the clear link between reduced smoking and increased vaping, Spanish policymakers are pursuing flavour bans and excise taxes on reduced-risk products.
Experts warn that such measures could reverse recent progress. Dr. Delon Human of Smoke Free Sweden has emphasized that Sweden’s low smoking rate—just 5.3%, the lowest in Europe—is due in large part to the country’s openness to harm reduction products like snus, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes. Spain, in contrast, risks sidelining the very tools that have helped thousands quit smoking.
Denmark offers another illustrative example. After implementing a ban on flavoured vapes in 2022, vaping among Danes aged 15–29 rose from 7% to 12% in two years, suggesting that demand simply shifted underground. Flavours like fruit and candy—officially banned—remain overwhelmingly preferred, accounting for over 60% of use. Industry experts argue that these restrictions have failed to reduce youth use and instead driven the market toward unregulated, illegal sources.
Quit intentions on the rise
The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) recently reinforced these trends. Its findings show that while traditional smoking is declining among teenagers across Europe, vaping is surging. Nearly half (44%) of surveyed teens reported trying e-cigarettes, and 22% use them regularly—a marked increase from 14% just five years ago. This mirrors Luxembourg’s data and underscores a pan-European trend of nicotine use shifting from combustible to non-combustible forms.
In this context, Luxembourg’s regulators face a critical policy dilemma: embrace the harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, or restrict them in ways that could unintentionally steer users back to smoking or push them toward illicit markets.
One especially hopeful aspect of the recent Luxembourg survey is the growing number of people looking to quit. In 2024, 46% of current users said they wanted to stop smoking or using nicotine products. This figure climbs to 62% among the 16–24 demographic. Half of all young users have already tried quitting—significantly higher than the 34% quit attempt rate among the general population.
To support this momentum, the government is launching a national campaign coinciding with World No Tobacco Day on May 31. Informational materials—including QR-coded cards—will be distributed in hospitals and clinics, connecting people to cessation resources.
Evidence over emotion
The data consistently shows that harm reduction tools like vaping and nicotine pouches can play a pivotal role in reducing smoking rates—especially when supported by education, accessible cessation resources, and realistic regulation. A 2022 German survey found that the vast majority (84.7%) of users of smoke-free products recognized them as safer than smoking. Yet only 27.3% of smokers shared this belief, highlighting a major knowledge gap that policy could help address.
Moreover, a recent World Vapers’ Alliance poll in Spain shows that 92% of vapers are former smokers and 87% say flavours help them stay off cigarettes. Over two-thirds credited flavours with helping them cut down or quit entirely. Banning flavours, the survey found, could drive up smoking relapse or boost black market activity.
Charting a smarter course
Luxembourg is now at a pivotal moment. With smoking in decline and public interest in quitting on the rise, the country has an opportunity to double down on harm reduction—not dilute it. Instead of restricting access to lower-risk products, regulators should focus on smart, science-based policies that protect youth without penalizing adults who are making healthier choices.
Sweden has shown what’s possible when harm reduction is embraced: dramatic drops in smoking and unparalleled public health outcomes. Luxembourg, like the rest of Europe, can follow suit—if it resists reactionary bans and prioritizes evidence over ideology. The path forward is clear. Harm reduction works. Now is the time to strengthen it.
More Senseless Vape Restrictions Crafted by the European Commission
