High Smoking Rates in Croatia: Urgent Call for Legislation Change

Mar.06.2025
High Smoking Rates in Croatia: Urgent Call for Legislation Change
Croatia urged to ban smoking in enclosed public spaces as smoking rate reaches 38% among adults, 44% among students.

Key points:


According to data from the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), 38% of adults smoke, while 44% of students use e-cigarettes.


The Director of HZJZ, Kapek, has called for a complete ban on smoking in public enclosed spaces, and for legislation to be revised in order to reduce smoking rates.


Petkovic pointed out that new tobacco products such as heated tobacco and e-cigarettes are attracting new smokers. Despite their potentially reduced harm compared to traditional cigarettes, they are still harmful to health.


According to a report by Vecernji on March 5th, data from the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) shows that 38% of adults in Croatia smoke, while 44% of students use e-cigarettes, making Croatia one of the countries with the highest smoking rates in the EU.


The Director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), Krunoslav Capak, has called for a complete ban on smoking in all public enclosed spaces.


We need legislative amendments to bring Croatia in line with other EU countries. Smoking rates in Scandinavian countries and the United States have dropped to below 10%.


Željko Petković, Deputy Director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), pointed out that new tobacco products such as heated tobacco, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, have attracted a new generation of smokers.


E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products have created a new generation of smokers. While their risks may be lesser, they are still harmful.


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