Cigarettes and shag less popular

The consumption of cigarettes and rolling tobacco (shag) has been decreasing in the Netherlands for years now. Since 1995 cigarette consumption has fallen by more than 25 percent. The consumption of shag fell by more than 32 percent in the same period.

25 billion cigarettes, 4 million smokers

The Dutch population smoked nearly 25 billion cigarettes and roll-ups in 2005. This is the equivalent of 830 cigarettes and 678 roll-ups per inhabitant. The consumption of cigarettes and shag in 2005 was nearly 9 percent lower than in 2004.
The number of smokers has dropped substantially in recent years. In the period 2001–2004 the number of smokers aged 12 years and older fell by more than 400 thousand to 4 million.

Consumption of cigarettes and shag

Stricter tobacco laws, higher prices

The steady decrease in the consumption of cigarettes and shag went hand in hand with a tightening of tobacco legislation. Under the new law, all advertising of tobacco products and sponsoring of events is prohibited, all workers are entitled to a smoke-free workplace, and smoking is prohibited in public transport. The law also sets limits for the amount of tar and nicotine permitted in cigarettes and shag tobacco.
In addition smoking has become a lot more expensive. Retail prices of cigarettes and shag have increased substantially in recent years. In 2005 a pack of 25 cigarettes in the most popular price class cost 4.60 euro, over 75 percent more than in 1995. The increase in the price of shag tobacco was in the same order.

Changes: 2001-2004

Hans Draper