One in three people in Cyprus (30.1%) smoke, a survey conducted by Marc on behalf of Philip Morris Cyprus showed.
The study collected responses from 801 households in the country.
The percentage of people in Cyprus who smoke recorded a 1.2% decrease compared to last year, according to the survey.
Moreover, a substantial majority, approximately 86.6%, expressed worry regarding the consequences of smoking on their health, with 79.8% of smokers citing health effects and physical condition as key motivators for quitting.
Apart from health concerns, the survey sheds light on the impact of smoking on personal relationships. Approximately 61.1% of non-smokers express discomfort with their partner’s smoking habits, considering it an outdated practice due to various factors, including the smell of smoke in the environment (21.9%) and on clothes (20.1%), the smoker’s breath (17.8%), and the overall scent (15.1%).
The study also points out a significant lack of information among smokers about alternative tobacco products. Merely 21.8% of smokers claim to have comprehensive knowledge about these alternatives, despite 80.9% stressing the importance of access to sufficient information on these choices. Furthermore, 37% of the population admits to relying on friends and acquaintances for information on these products.
In response to the findings, Stavros Drakoularakos, General Manager of Philip Morris Cyprus, said, “Our aim is to achieve cigarette-free Cyprus by 2030. Our team, guided by technology and science, works diligently towards this goal. However, it’s a collective effort; both government and regulatory authorities have a role to play in accelerating this change. The MARC research distinctly indicates that cigarettes belong to museums.”
