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All citizens, young and old, have the right to grow up smoke-free. The City of Differdange is joining the “Génération sans tabac” initiative.
Tobacco consumption has numerous serious consequences for health, the environment and society. More than a quarter of Luxembourg’s population over the age of 16 smokes. The number of daily smokers has risen steadily since 2019. The proportion of young smokers in particular is worrying: 34% of 16 to 24-year-olds and 36% of 25 to 34-year-olds say they smoke.
“Génération sans tabac” is a national strategy of the Fondation Cancer to protect children and teenagers from the dangers of smoking by enabling them to grow up in a smoke-free environment. The municipalities are important partners in this strategy, as they are in regular contact with the population, schools and associations. As the third-largest city in Luxembourg, Differdange wants to make an impact and was awarded the bronze label as a smoke-free municipality on 8 March 2024.
In order to implement the objectives of the strategy, the city has set up a work group in which employees from various departments (living together, sports, schools and childcare, environment, communication) can exchange ideas.
The first step is to take stock of where in the municipality children are exposed to smoke in public places, buildings and facilities. If necessary, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure a smoke-free environment, e.g. putting up signs or moving ashtrays from the main entrance of a building to an alternative location.
In a further step, various city events will be classified as smoke-free, e.g. because many families with children attend.
It is not about banning smoking, but rather about raising awareness and informing people: about the objectives of the strategy and why it is so important, about the positive effects that giving up tobacco has not only on personal health, but also on the family and fellow human beings who are involuntarily exposed to smoke. The positive aspect for the environment should not be neglected either, as the ecological footprint of the tobacco production, sale and carelessly discarded cigarette is alarming.
If you would like to find out more about the benefits of not smoking, want to stop smoking and need support in doing so, you can find it at maviesanstabac.lu.
To find out more about the national strategy, visit generationsanstabac.lu.