Ex smokers are unstoppable! The new anti-tobacco campaign funded by the European Commission

Ex smokers are unstoppable! The new anti-tobacco campaign funded by the European Commission

26% of Europeans smoke, and smoking continues to be the largest single cause of preventable death and disease in the EU. 59% of smokers have tried to quit smoking, 20% succeeded.

The European Commission has a history of work in the area of smoking prevention and cessation, in addition to tobacco control in a wider sense.

In the past years a number of initiatives have been developed to address the burden of tobacco-consumption across Europe. The total cost of smoking to EU society was estimated at €544 billion in 2009, hence every smoker who quits helps to ease the financial burden on Europe’s healthcare systems and economies.

Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable (2014-2016)

The last edition of ‘Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable’ was more determined than ever to help 25 to 34 year old smokers abandon tobacco by making them realise the many benefits of a smoke-free lifestyle and providing the tool to get them there. Better health and well-being, more disposable income and ultimately a better quality of life await those who decide to quit smoking.

Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable (2011-2013)

This edition of ‘Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable’ encouraged citizens to stop smoking and helped them quit. It raised awareness of the dangers of tobacco and contributed to the EU Commission’s long-term objective of a smoke free Europe.

HELP - For a life without tobacco (2005-2010)

The previous campaign, "HELP – For a life without tobacco", which ran from 2005 to 2010, was focused on smoking prevention, smoking cessation, and passive smoking, targeting young Europeans between 15 and 25 years of age.