A recent survey conducted by the State Health Institute (SZÚ) indicates that despite a gradual decline in smoking rates, nearly a quarter of the population in the Czech Republic remains addicted to tobacco. The study also highlights the usage of alternative nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, with notable concerns regarding their impact on young individuals.

According to the survey, approximately 10% of the population uses e-cigarettes, while 6.6% opt for heated tobacco products. Notably, nicotine pouches, which have gained popularity among young individuals due to their attractive packaging and discreet usage, are consumed by just under 3% of the population. Among young people aged 15 to 24, the usage of nicotine pouches has increased by one-third in the past two years.

While alternative cigarette options are considered potentially less harmful, experts express concern that these alternatives may not serve as substitutes for some users. Additionally, the survey highlights that many young individuals are initiating nicotine consumption through these alternative products.

Marie Nejedlá from the Public Health Support Center at SZÚ warns that if not regulated, nicotine pouches can contain significant amounts of nicotine, posing potential health risks to users.

The survey also examined alcohol consumption in the Czech Republic, which has remained consistently high. Around 16% of respondents reported consuming alcohol daily or every other day, while over 15% claimed long-term abstinence. On average, each person consumes 7.2 liters of pure alcohol annually or 8.5 liters when excluding abstainers.

Men in the Czech Republic prefer beer as their alcoholic beverage of choice, with almost 47% consuming it weekly or more frequently. On the other hand, women lean towards wine, with just under a quarter reporting the same frequency of wine consumption.

Despite the gradual decrease in smoking rates, Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek emphasized that the overall behavior of the Czech population regarding tobacco and alcohol has not significantly improved. These findings coincide with the observance of World No Tobacco Day on May 31st, prompting the need for continued efforts to address smoking and alcohol consumption in the country.

Article by Prague Forum