Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/836538
3 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 14 JUNE 2017 News HOT DEALS ON KITCHENS, BEDROOM & DINING ROOM SUITES, SOFAS AND A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF OUTDOOR FURNITURE IN ALUMINIUM AND RATTAN. UP TO 50% OFF OPEN ALL DAY Saturday 9am to 7pm Sunday 10am to 7pm OPEN WEEKEND ST PAUL STREET NAXXAR | T: 2143 7945/4 H. DECOR MGARR ROAD GOZO | T: 2156 3235 E: info@studio9.com.mt W: www.studio9.com.mt Studio 9 Malta MON-FRI 9am-7pm THURS 9am-8.30pm SAT 9am-1pm 24% of Maltese started smoking before 15 THE Maltese are the second most likely in Europe after the Danes to have started smok- ing before they were 15. In Malta the percentage of early smokers has remained the same as in 2014 but has declined by four points in all 28 EU member states, accord- ing to an EU-commissioned survey. Other countries with a high percentage of smokers who started their habit before 15 are the United Kingdom (23%) and the Belgians (21%). 24% of the Maltese were less than 15 when they started smoking. This compares to just 15% of citizens of other EU countries. 57% of Maltese never smoked while only 24% are currently smoking. But compared to two years ago the percentage of smokers has gone up by four points. The survey shows 26% of EU citizens currently smoking, the same percentage as three years ago. The highest percentage of smokers is found in Greece (37%) and the least is found in Sweden (7%). The survey also shows that 48% of ex Maltese smokers had smoked for more than 20 years. It also shows that 23% of Maltese smokers make regu- lar use of hand rolled ciga- rettes compared to 23% of all Europeans. The highest regu- lar use of hand rolled tobacco is found in Belgium where 41% of smokers consume it regularly. Most countries have wit- nessed a decrease in the pro- portion of respondents who are in favour of keeping to- bacco products out of sight in shops or points of sale. Cyprus and Malta stand out with decreases of 15 percent- age points each, although respondents are much less likely to support the measure in Luxembourg and Hungary (both -10pp) as well. The survey also shows 55% of Maltese favouring plain packaging for cigarettes which would eliminate imag- es and corporate logos on to- bacco products. The measure is supported by 46% in all 28 EU member states. Majority think e-cigarettes are harmful The survey shows that 67% of Maltese compared to 57% of other Europeans think the use of e cigarettes is harmful to health. Only 34% of Irish respondents expressed the same opinion compared to 85% of the Dutch, who think e-cigarettes are harmful. On- ly 2% of the Maltese are cur- rently vaping while 4% used to vape but no longer do so. A further 6% had tried them once or twice. E-cigarette use is highest in the UK where 5% of the popu- lation uses them regularly. 60% of Maltese respondents who have used e cigarettes did so to stop or reduce tobacco consumption while 12% did so because they found them cool or attractive.