Smoking prevalence varies widely among EU-27 member states

The most recent data from the WHO-HFA-database (access date: July 2007) are shown in Percentage of daily smokers in the EU-27.

The proportion of those aged 15 years and over who smoke in the EU-27 ranges from 16% in Sweden to 38% in Greece. Despite wide variations in smoking prevalence among member states, the overall average for the 27 EU member states is roughly the same as it was before the EU was enlarged in 2004 and 2007. Consistent large-scale patterns are not apparent, although regional differences on various scales do occur. There are countries with a higher and lower prevalence of smoking in Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western Europe.

Data on the percentage of daily smokers aged 15 years and over in the EU-27 in 2004 are shown in the following maps:

• Adult male daily smokers in the EU-27
• Adult female daily smokers in the EU-27
• Adult daily smokers in the EU-27 (total)

Comparisons are confounded by differences in definitions and data collection

Most countries estimate the percentage of adult smokers on the basis of health interview surveys, which can yield variable data. Variances can, for example, be caused by differences in the way a 'smoker' is defined. For some countries 'smoker' implies a 'daily smoker', for other countries it means a 'regular smoker' and for still other countries it equates to 'all smokers' (which would include occasional smokers). Likewise, for ages defined as 'adult' or '15 years and over' the lower age limit may range from 13 to 20 years and the upper age limit may range from 64 to 84 years. Moreover, population samples are not always representative of the whole country. International comparisons must therefore be made with caution.

Additionally, different international databases may show different data from the same country, as shown in Percentage of adult daily smokers for the databases (WHO-HFA, OECD Health Data and Eurostat). It appears that the data from Eurostat deviate from the data collated in the other two databases. They are probably derived from different national sources or years. Therefore the data from the WHO-HFA have been selected for the presentations.

In general smoking prevalence is higher among men

In Sweden, the smoking prevalence among women is higher than among men.

Typical patterns in both smoking prevalence and trends in smoking prevalence are presented for three selected countries in Percentage of daily smokers in Lithuania, Sweden and the UK.

Smoking prevalence also associated with age and deprivation

For more extensive information on factors affecting smoking prevalence, also see Causes and risk factors

The tobacco epidemic in the EU is evolving

The term 'Tobacco epidemic' refers to a particular global pattern that is visible for tobacco consumption. This started with a peak in smoking behaviour among men, followed by a peak in women, and then related mortality peaks several decades later. The tobacco epidemic has reached different stages in different European countries (see The tobacco epidemic).

In central and eastern European countries there was little awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco smoking until the late 1980s. These countries, as well as some southern European countries are now at stage three of the epidemic, with smoking prevalence among males peaking or just beginning to decline, and smoking prevalence among women still increasing.