Lexi Webster
Austria has been called the ashtray of Europe due to its high tobacco consumption. In 2022, 22% of Austria's population used tobacco, with a slightly higher prevalence among males (23.7%) compared to females (20.5%). This positions the country as the 69th globally and the 24th in the WHO European Region in terms of the number of tobacco users. Despite a reduction in overall cigarette consumption, Austria still faces challenges with high tobacco use rates among youths, as 25% of adolescents aged 14-17 were current smokers. In 2021, tobacco was the second-highest risk factor driving deaths and disabilities in Austria, responsible for about 20.1% of total deaths.
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What You'll Learn
Austria's cigarette consumption statistics
Austria has been known as the "ashtray of Europe", with a population that is considered to be among the worst educated about tobacco in the continent. Austria has more than double the rate of daily smokers compared to the US, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (24.3% vs 10.5% of the population over age 15). In 2022, 22% of Austria's population used tobacco, with a slightly higher prevalence among males (23.7%) compared to females (20.5%). Despite a reduction in overall cigarette consumption, Austria still faces challenges with high tobacco use rates among youths, with 25% of adolescents aged 14-17 being current smokers. Tobacco is the second leading risk factor for death and disability in the country, responsible for 20.1% of all deaths. In 2021, tobacco was responsible for an estimated 8.5 thousand deaths, with 93% of those being due to smoking and 10% due to secondhand smoke.
Austria's tobacco control policies have been described as inadequate, with low taxes on tobacco products and a lack of discussion about tobacco taxes. The country has a strong coffee house tradition, where smoking has been considered normal. In 2019, the Austrian government announced a smoking ban in all bars, cafes, and restaurants, which was met with protests, pub and nightclub closures, and lawsuits. The law came into effect on November 1, 2022, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the country's smoking culture.
Austria's tobacco consumption statistics also reveal a high prevalence of e-cigarette use among youths. In 2019, 13% of youths aged 14-17 years were current e-cigarette users, with 2% reporting daily use. To address the public health concerns associated with tobacco use, Austria has implemented differential excise tax policies for novel tobacco products such as HTPs and e-cigarettes. In 2023, a flavor ban on HTPs was introduced, and product restrictions for e-cigarettes were put in place, including limits on nicotine concentration, tank capacity, and refill container size.
In summary, Austria has a relatively high cigarette consumption rate, with 22% of its population using tobacco in 2022. The country faces challenges with high tobacco use among youths and has implemented tobacco control measures such as smoking bans in bars, cafes, and restaurants, as well as excise tax policies and product restrictions for novel tobacco products.
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Tobacco-related deaths in Austria
Tobacco use is a significant issue in Austria, with 22% of the population using tobacco in 2022, and it is the second leading risk factor for death and disability in the country. Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 8,500 deaths in Austria in 2021, accounting for about 20.1% of total deaths. Of these tobacco-related deaths, 93% were due to smoking, and 10% were due to secondhand smoke. The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco kills more than 8 million people globally each year, including both smokers and non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke.
Tobacco use is associated with various adverse health effects, including an increased risk of developing lung cancer, oral cancer, heart disease, and blood clots. It also increases the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, tooth decay, gum disease, and wrinkled skin. In Austria, tobacco use has been linked to specific types of cancer, particularly in eastern regions. Studies have found a correlation between tobacco use and mortality rates from lung, oral, oesophageal, and bladder cancer in this area.
Austria faces challenges with high tobacco use rates among youths, with 25% of adolescents aged 14-17 being current smokers. The introduction of smoke-free spaces, such as bars and restaurants, has been shown to reduce tobacco-related illnesses and deaths, including among non-smokers. In 2023, a flavour ban on heated tobacco products (HTPs) was implemented in Austria, and e-cigarettes are subject to product restrictions, including maximum nicotine concentration and health warnings.
In 2022, Austria produced about 2.5 thousand tons of unmanufactured tobacco, ranking as the 66th largest tobacco producer globally. However, compared to 2010, there has been a decrease in tobacco production and land utilisation for tobacco cultivation in the country.
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Youth tobacco use in Austria
Tobacco use is a significant health issue in Austria, and this extends to the country's youth. In 2022, 22% of Austria's population used tobacco, with a slightly higher prevalence among males (23.7%) compared to females (20.5%). Despite a reduction in overall cigarette consumption, Austria still faces challenges with high tobacco use rates among young people.
In 2022, 25% of adolescents aged 14-17 were current smokers. This is a concern as tobacco use among young people can have significant negative health consequences, both in the short and long term. Tobacco is highly addictive due to the presence of nicotine, and quitting can be difficult. It increases the likelihood of developing serious illnesses such as lung cancer, oral cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
The tobacco industry in Austria has been criticised for aggressively marketing its products to lower-income populations and youth. Restricting or eliminating tobacco marketing is key to controlling tobacco use among young people. Regulations on Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, and Sponsorship (TAPS) are in place in Austria, including prescribed anti-tobacco ads required for any visual entertainment media that depict tobacco products or use. However, the effectiveness of these regulations in reducing youth tobacco consumption is not clear.
In 2019, 13% of youths aged 14-17 were current e-cigarette users, with a higher prevalence among boys (17%) compared to girls (9%). Daily e-cigarette use was reported as 2% for both sexes. E-cigarettes are regulated in Austria, with restrictions on nicotine concentration, tank capacity, and refill container sizes. However, they still pose a risk to young people's health, and their use among minors should be monitored and addressed.
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Tobacco taxation in Austria
Tobacco taxation is a critical component of Austria's tobacco control strategy, and it has a significant impact on public health and government revenue. According to the Austrian Tobacco Tax Act 1995, tax liability arises when tobacco products are transported in fiscal-free circulation, meaning that taxes must be paid by the owner of the tax warehouse or the manufacturer. The current model for calculating tobacco tax in Austria is complex and consists of two components: a specific tobacco tax rate and a variable tobacco (ad-valorem) tax rate. In 2023, 76% of the retail price of cigarettes went directly to the state, contributing approximately €2.1 billion in tax revenue. This makes tobacco tax the second-highest generator of excise tax revenue for the Austrian state, after petroleum tax.
The high taxation on tobacco in Austria has led to some unintended consequences, such as the illegal import of products from abroad. This has resulted in a loss of tax revenue for the government. To address this issue, a multi-year excise tax model has been proposed, which would allow tobacco companies and the government to plan strategically and long-term.
The price of tobacco products in Austria is influenced by various factors, but studies have shown that higher taxes lead to price increases and a decrease in tobacco consumption. This is due to the oligopolistic structure of the cigarette market and the addictive nature of tobacco products. According to a study, a 1% increase in tobacco prices will result in a 0.691% decrease in tobacco consumption. This indicates that price policy and taxation are effective strategies for reducing smoking rates.
In addition to tobacco taxation, other strategies to curb tobacco consumption in Austria include warning labels on cigarette packages, smoking cessation programs, and smoking bans. In 2023, a flavour ban on heated tobacco products (HTPs) was implemented, and product restrictions were placed on e-cigarettes, including a maximum nicotine concentration and limits on tank and refill container sizes. Despite these efforts, Austria still faces challenges with high tobacco use rates among youths, with 25% of adolescents aged 14-17 being current smokers in 2022.
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Tobacco control measures in Austria
In 2022, 22% of Austria's population used tobacco, with a slightly higher prevalence among males (23.7%) compared to females (20.5%). This places Austria 69th globally and 24th in the WHO European Region in terms of the number of tobacco users. Tobacco is the second leading risk factor for death and disability in the country, responsible for 20.1% of all deaths.
To combat this, Austria has implemented various tobacco control measures over the years, including:
- EU Directive 2001/37/EG : In 2003, Austria implemented this directive, regulating the upper limits for certain substances, such as tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide in cigarettes. This directive also mandated warning labels and ingredient information on tobacco product packaging.
- Smoke-free legislation : In 2008, the government adopted smoke-free legislation for the gastronomy sector. Since 2009, smoking has been prohibited in rooms where food and beverages are served, including hotels and other accommodation premises, with some exceptions.
- Flavor ban on HTPs : In 2023, a flavor ban on heated tobacco products (HTPs) was introduced, and e-cigarettes were regulated alongside HTPs.
- Taxation : Austria employs a differential excise tax policy between HTPs and conventional cigarettes. The total tax rate on the retail price of a pack of cigarettes was 74% in 2022. HTPs are subject to a specific rate of EUR 164/kg of tobacco in a pack, while e-cigarettes are currently exempt from excise taxes.
- Product restrictions for e-cigarettes : These include a maximum nicotine concentration of 20 mg/ml, a tank capacity not exceeding 2 ml, and refill containers limited to a maximum of 10 ml.
- Health warnings : Text health warnings cover 30% of both surfaces for HTPs and e-cigarettes, irrespective of nicotine content.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, 22% of Austria's population used tobacco, positioning the country as 69th globally and 24th in the WHO European Region.
As of 2023, Austria has not been listed as one of the countries with the highest smoking rates in the world.
In 2022, 25% of Austrian adolescents aged 14-17 were current smokers. In 2019, 13% of youths aged 14-17 were current e-cigarette users.
Tobacco is the second leading risk factor for death and disability in Austria. In 2021, it was responsible for an estimated 8,500 deaths, which is about 20.1% of total deaths in the country.
