The latest Eurobarometer survey exploring attitudes of Europeans towards tobacco and related products shows Greece has a higher percentage of smokers than the EU average.
For the survey, there were 1,007 interviews carried out with Greeks. Of those interviewees, 36 percent claimed to be current smokers—whether of traditional cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, or pipes—compared with the 24 percent EU average.
Demographics of smokers in Greece
Of those current smokers, 40 percent of males smoke compared to the EU average of 28 percent. A total of 32 percent of females turned out to be smokers. The EU average for female smokers is 21 percent.
Additionally, those within the 40 to 54 age bracket constitute the highest percentage of current smokers. In Greece, 46 percent of individuals in this age group smoke compared to the EU average of 28 percent.
The narrowest gap is between those in the age bracket 15 to 25. In Greece, the percentage of smokers in this group amounts to 25 percent with the EU average being 22 percent. Of those survey respondents above the age of 55, 28 percent claimed to be current smokers, compared with 19 percent across the EU.
The survey also asked interviewees in Greece and other EU nations if they ever had difficulties paying their bills as a result of their smoking habits. Thirty eight percent of Greeks answered “most of the time,” which was equal to the EU average.
Of the Greeks who are current smokers, 59 percent claimed to smoke boxed cigarettes “every day.” This is 10 percent lower than the EU average. Precisely 32 percent stated they smoke hand-rolled cigarettes “every day.” This is almost double the EU average, and 2 percent smoke cigarillos “every day,” double the EU average.
Nobody surveyed in Greece reported smoking a pipe, cigar, shisha or using chewing tobacco, while two percent claimed to smoke e-cigarettes. This is lower than the EU average of 3 percent.
When it comes to the banning of certain tobacco and e-cigarette products, 64 percent of Greeks surveyed are in favor of banning the use of e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products in environments where smoking is prohibited. Furthermore, 45 percent of Greeks are in favor of banning smoking in outdoor places where social distancing cannot be guaranteed.
Smokers in Cyprus
In Cyprus, according to data from 504 interviews, 29 percent of interviewees claimed to be current smokers of a tobacco product. This is five percent higher than the EU average. Smoker demographics in Cyprus line up more closely to the averages of the EU than is the case in Greece.
Of those who were interviewed and currently smoke in Cyprus, 33 percent are male, and 24 percent are female. The two categories which are closest to EU averages are the 25 to 39 age group and the 55+ age bracket. The former makes up 33 percent in Cyprus, while the latter comprises 20 percent.
In Cyprus, of those who self-reported as current smokers, 42 percent claimed to have difficulties paying bills “most of the time” as a result of their smoking habit. This is four percent higher than Greece.