Smoking is steadily declining in the Netherlands, with smoker numbers dropping sharply in recent years, according to authoritative data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
The CBS draws on the latest OECD analysis tracking tobacco use across 36 primarily Western countries.
Read also: 'This is the best way to quit smoking'
In 2017, just 17% of people aged 15 and older smoked daily—a notable decrease from 23% a decade earlier in 2007. This outpaces the international trend, where daily smoking fell from 23% to 18%. As reported by RTL Nieuws, the Netherlands has seen a particularly strong reduction.
Greece and Turkey lead in cigarette consumption, while the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Norway report the lowest rates.
The Dutch government is committed to slashing smoking prevalence to 5% by 2040, building on these positive momentum.
