High smoking rates in Cyprus complicate EU goal of a smoke-free generation by 2040

Recent data from the European Parliament and Eurostat indicate that 29% of adults in Cyprus are smokers, ranking the country seventh highest among European Union member states. This figure sits significantly above the EU average of 24%. Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Romania, Latvia, and Austria currently report even higher smoking rates than Cyprus. The European Union has set an ambitious target to reduce the smoking population to 5% by 2040 to create a 'Tobacco-Free Generation'. Despite public health campaigns and restrictions, smoking remains deeply ingrained in daily social life across Cyprus. Experts highlight that one in five Europeans is exposed to second-hand smoke, which significantly increases the risk of lung disease and cardiovascular issues. While countries like Sweden have successfully reduced smoking to single-digit percentages, Cyprus faces a substantial gap in meeting the EU’s long-term health objectives.