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World No Tobacco Day – Results of the 2025 national survey on smoking and nicotine use in Luxembourg
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, the Health Directorate and the Fondation Cancer are publishing the results of the ILRES survey on smoking and nicotine use in Luxembourg in 2025.
Across the population as a whole, smoking and nicotine consumption concern nearly one third of residents aged 16 and over. Alongside traditional cigarettes, new nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches are experiencing significant growth, particularly among young people.
The survey shows that initiation into tobacco and nicotine use occurs at a very early age, most often before the age of 18. Factors mentioned by young people include stress, peer influence and the social image associated with these products. Young people aged 16 to 24 therefore appear to be particularly affected. All forms of consumption are represented within this age group: cigarettes, shisha, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The findings also highlight that nicotine, particularly through vaping, constitutes a major gateway to smoking.
Despite this worrying situation, the desire to quit remains strong: one in two young smokers wishes to stop smoking. Health is cited as the main motivation.
Lastly, exposure to passive smoking remains high in everyday settings, particularly among young people. This exposure is observed both in certain outdoor spaces and in social venues and indoor events.
A strengthened legal framework since 1 January 2026
To respond to some of these findings, Luxembourg adopted the law of 28 November 2025, which entered into force on 1 January 2026. The law sets a maximum nicotine content of 0.048 mg per unit for nicotine pouches and new nicotine products, prohibits their consumption in places frequented by young people (schools, playgrounds), and bans additives considered to be stimulants, such as caffeine, taurine or CBD. Heated tobacco products are now subject to the same rules as traditional cigarettes. Sales to minors are strictly prohibited, with mandatory identity checks in case of doubt.
Useful links:
Press release by the Ministry of Health and Social Security and the Fondation Cancer