Recent findings from a comprehensive survey have shed light on the prevailing sentiments and beliefs among European citizens towards tobacco policy, revealing a significant gap between public opinion and policy direction. As revealed by the survey carried out by independent public opinion research firm Povaddo for Philip Morris International (PMI), a large majority of European adults, including smokers and non-smokers, express a keen interest in harm reduction strategies and believe that alternatives to traditional smoking should be given serious consideration by policymakers.
The survey gathered responses from over 14,000 individuals across 13 EU member states and Ukraine, uncovering a striking disconnect between the preferences of the public and the prevailing tobacco policies enforced at the EU level. Notably, 65% of smokers in the European Union expressed a sense of disenfranchisement, perceiving a lack of consideration for their well-being in the formulation of tobacco-related regulations. Furthermore, 66% of the general population concurred that entities such as the EU and WHO should pivot towards harm reduction strategies, aiming to encourage smokers to transition to less harmful alternatives rather than striving for the complete elimination of tobacco use.
A resounding 66% of surveyed adults in Europe endorsed the notion that smokers could be effectively prompted to switch to scientifically-proven alternatives through the implementation of taxation strategies. Meanwhile, the survey also revealed that a majority of Europeans believe that the dissemination of accurate, science-backed information regarding the reduced risk of smoke-free alternatives, in comparison to traditional smoking, is paramount.
The research brought to the fore the overwhelming support for harm reduction policies aimed at reducing overall smoking rates and combating the illicit trade in tobacco products. The widespread acceptance of novel smoke-free alternatives, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, underscores the public’s openness to embracing a more balanced and pragmatic approach to tobacco policy.
However, despite the compelling resonance of these sentiments with the general populace, the survey findings spotlighted a misalignment between public opinion and the policy stance adopted by many European governments. Notably, revered political leaders continue to demonstrate a proclivity towards conventional, restrictive tobacco policies, overlooking the growing enthusiasm for harm reduction initiatives.
The issue of illicit trade in tobacco products also emerged as a pressing concern, with a substantial proportion of the surveyed populace recognizing the adverse implications of this underground market on public health and security. Alarmingly, countries like France have witnessed a staggering surge in the consumption of counterfeit cigarettes, indicative of the urgent need for a reevaluation of existing taxation and regulatory frameworks.
The results of the survey strongly advocate for a paradigm shift in tobacco policy, urging policymakers to acknowledge and align with the evolving perspectives of the public. While past decades may have witnessed an adversarial stance towards the tobacco industry, the contemporary landscape calls for an adaptive and forward-thinking approach that embraces harm reduction as a central tenet of regulatory initiatives.
This post “A New Direction for Tobacco Policy in Europe” appeared first on the European Market Insights magazine.
European Market Insights 