Gen Z may become first cohort with few daily smokers as snus use climbs
Statistisk sentralbyrå reports that daily smoking is now rare among those born in the mid-1990s onward, while daily snus use continues to increase.
Sindre Mikael Haugen, senior adviser at Statistisk sentralbyrå, says Norway’s tobacco habits are changing markedly. Generation Z, defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, may be the first cohort where daily smoking is uncommon, while Millennials were the last cohort with a significant daily smoking presence. Daily use of snus has overtaken smoking and stays at a high level, resulting in more than twice as many daily snus users as daily smokers.
Among people who previously smoked regularly, a quarter now use snus regularly, and many former smokers never used snus at all. Smoking rates are similar for men and women but are concentrated in older age groups, with very low daily smoking among younger adults. A substantial share of the oldest age group had smoked daily in the past but have largely quit.
Why it matters
The shift signals a major change in public health patterns and tobacco policy needs.
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