Smoking "less dangerous" in the Netherlands

Dutch smokers are less aware of dangers associated with smoking and passive smoking than other nationals.

The ITC Netherlands Survey shows that only 61 percent of Dutch smokers are aware of the damage tobacco causes, a percentage significantly lower than the one in Mauritius and France (96 percent). Note that among a total of 11 countries, only the United States scored lower (80 percent) than the Netherlands.

Participating at the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) since June 2003 makes it obligatory for the Netherlands to reduce the use of tobacco through public education programmes. The results from the survey clearly demonstrate a lack in this area.

For more information visit ITC’s (International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project) website.