Number Of Smokers Decreases

It is expected that of al the Dutch older than 15, 25% or even slightly less will smoke this year. This was stated by State Secretary Martin van Rijn, during a debate on smoking in the House.

In 2012 the number of smokers was 26%. This were a total of 3.6 million people. Although a decrease of 1% doesn’t look that big, counted in number of people it is a considerable number of people who quit smoking.

Van Rijn says that these numbers are preliminary, but he is optimistic about it. He thinks he can be optimistic because a lot of measures have been taken. On the packages of cigarettes are pictures who should bring smokers to other thoughts, the minimum age at which one is allowed to smoke has been increased and additives in cigarettes are under attack.