We’ve known for decades that bans don’t work when it comes to smoking. Neither the black lung in the glass nor the threat of sanctions acted as a deterrent. On World No Tobacco Day, doctors now recommend raising the price of cigarettes, despite the price avalanche, to make Austrians quit.
It is clear – meanwhile undisputed – that tobacco consumption is not particularly good for your health. Smoking is associated with about 14,000 deaths per year in Austria alone. The blue haze not only affects the lungs, but is also associated with colon and bladder cancer.
Yet the number of smokers in the country is only slowly decreasing. One in four Austrians still smokes an occasional cigarette (see graph), more men than women. According to Statistics Austria – the latest figures are from 2019 – the starting age is just under 18.
However, youth protection regulations have been tightened in recent years. On World No Tobacco Day, health experts are once again calling for an end to the vice. One way could lead to a renewed price increase (see the interview below with the social medicine physician Univ.-Doz. Dr. Ernest Groman of the Nicotine Institute Vienna).
“Responsible handling of sensitive luxury goods”
On the other hand, tobacco consumption flushes about 2.7 billion euros into the state coffers. “Our goal is not to maximize sales, but to ensure that sensitive luxury goods are handled responsibly,” explains Hannes Hofer, general manager of the monopoly administration.
„krone“: Dr. Groman, you are the scientific director of the Nicotine Institute. How can you get more Austrians to quit smoking?
Univ.-Doz. dr. Ernest Groman: According to the latest studies, this is almost exclusively achieved through price increases, so cigarettes should become even more expensive! For every 1% increase in inflation, we see a 0.6% decrease in consumption. Young people in particular can benefit from this, because they prefer to spend their money on other things. Long-term smokers can at the very least be encouraged to reduce their consumption. Because smoking 40 cigarettes a day is not twice as dangerous as 20, but five or six times as many.
How can you make pickup easier?
Seek help and alternative products such as e-cigarettes or tobacco warmers. These are still less harmful than the classic Tschick and can help with withdrawal symptoms such as tension or restlessness. However, we ask for precise regulation and market observation.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
