While there has been a decline in the number of Icelanders who smoke, the use of mouth tobacco has increased in popularity, especially among young men.
According to a poll (.pdf file) conducted by Capacent for the Directorate of Health, 14.2% of those over the age of 18 smoke daily, with the greatest portion in the 18 – 34 age group. The vast majority started smoking before the age of 18, with some 18.9% starting before the age of 15.
At the same time, within the 18 – 24 age group, 15% of men said they used mouth tobacco every day. Use of snuff decreases with age, it appears, as less than 1% of men older than 45 use it. At the same time, 26% of those who use mouth tobacco also smoke.
Viðar Jensson, a project manager at the Directorate of Health, told RÚV that he considers it an unfortunate trend that very young people are becoming addicted to tobacco.
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