ZAGREB, 19 Feb (Hina) - In Croatia, almost four out of ten adults smoke, with an especially concerning 42.5% of people aged 25 to 34 smoking, which places the country among the worst in the EU, show data from the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) presented for the national No-Smoking Day.
Smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of disease and death. Its effects are not limited to lung cancer, but also affect the bladder, cardiovascular system, and reproductive health. Smoking is directly linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neurological disorders, and erectile dysfunction, experts highlighted at a roundtable.
Krunoslav Capak, director of HZJZ, warned about a new form of "silent epidemic": alternative tobacco products. These include heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, chewing tobacco, and herbal cigarettes, which are often perceived as less harmful despite a lack of long-term evidence. On the contrary, experts stress that each product carries risks and can even deepen nicotine addiction.
Capak emphasised the need to strengthen public education and consider stricter regulatory measures, including a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces. He recalled that Croatia offers programmes to quit smoking -- from no-smoking schools and counselling centres to pharmacological therapies -- but their full potential is not yet realised.
Around 44% of students have tried e-cigarettes
HZJZ deputy director Željko Petković noted that about 44% of students have tried e-cigarettes at least once, showing their strong appeal among adolescents. Even more alarming, many young people start using nicotine between ages 13 and 16, a critical period when behavioural patterns develop.
These trends highlight the need for targeted prevention programmes in schools and broader efforts involving families, media, and digital spaces. Experts warn that the tobacco and nicotine industry increasingly uses modern marketing strategies, including social media, to attract a new generation of users.
Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 100 million people use e-cigarettes, including 15 million adolescents. While overall smoking prevalence has gradually declined -- from about 1.38 billion users in 2000 to roughly 1.2 billion today -- numbers remain extremely high. More than eight million people die each year from active or passive smoking.
Europe continues to lead in smoking prevalence at 24.1%, while Africa has the lowest at 9.5%. Within Europe, Croatia stands out for its high smoking rates, particularly among younger adults.
Pulmonologist Marko Jakopović noted that 95% of lung cancer deaths occur in people with a history of smoking. Smoking also shortens life expectancy by an average of about ten years.
Croatian No-Smoking Day has been observed since 2003, traditionally on the first day of Lent -- a symbolic period encouraging abstinence and the adoption of healthier habits.
