Tobacco statistics

Tällä sivulla

Data description

Statistical presentation

The Tobacco Statistics is a consolidated set of data compiled from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Statistics Finland, Finnish Customs, the Tax Administration, and the Ministry of Finance. It provides information on tobacco consumption, price trends, taxation, tobacco legislation, and smoking among the population.

The Tobacco Statistics cover nationwide data. They have been produced since 1980, and the published figures refer to the publication year and the preceding calendar year. Until now, the data have been published annually; in the future, they will be released every two years. All published figures are final.

Relevance

The Tobacco Statistics are used, among other things, to support tobacco policy decision-making, to monitor tobacco consumption in Finland, and for international comparisons.

Data content of the statistics

The target groups for population smoking data are young people (aged 14–20), higher education students (aged 18–34), adults (aged 20–64), and people aged 65 and over. For smoking during pregnancy, the target group consists of individuals who have given birth in Finland.

Data on the consumption of taxed tobacco products and passenger imports, tobacco product price trends and tobacco taxation, as well as the cost of smoking-related harm, cover the entire country (passenger imports do not include Åland).

The key concepts and variables of the statistics are described as part of the statistical report.

Statistical processing

Source data

Prevalence of smoking among the population (based on survey studies)

Smoking during pregnancy

Consumption of tobacco products

  • Tobacco product consumption is not directly recorded in Finland, but long-term trends can be roughly estimated based on the quantity of taxed tobacco products. These figures are obtained from the Tax Administration’s excise duty statistics.
    Tax Administration Excise Statistics
  • Data on cigarettes seized in customs criminal cases are obtained from Finnish Customs.
    Tullirikostorjunnan tilastot 2020–2024 (Customs Crime Prevention Statistics, 2020–2024) (in Finnish)
  • Data on cigarettes (since 2006), snus (since 2009) and nicotine pouches (since 2023) brought by Finnish travelers, as well as purchases of these products from foreign online stores, are based on Verian’s (formerly Kantar Public) survey “Tupakkatuotteiden matkustajatuontiseuranta” (Monitoring of Passenger Imports of Tobacco Products).

Prices and taxation of tobacco products

Cost of harm caused by smoking

Data collection

Prevalence of smoking among the population

Data on smoking prevalence is based on several sample-based surveys targeting different age and population groups. The School Health Promotion study covers the entire target group.
About the Healthy Finland Survey
How is the FinSote survey conducted?
How is the KOTT survey conducted?
Kouluterveyskyselyn toteuttaminen (How is the School Health Promotion study conducted?) (in Finnish)

All surveys collect smoking-related information through questions on current smoking and/or the use of tobacco and nicotine products. In some surveys, questions on willingness to quit are also included.
Healthy Finland Survey questionnaires
FinSote-tutkimuksen lomakkeet (National FinSote Survey questionnaires) (in Finnish)
ATH survey questionnaires (in Finnish)
AVTK survey questionnaires (in Finnish)
EVTK survey questionnaires (in Finnish)
KOTT survey questionnaires
School Health Promotion study questionnaires

Smoking during pregnancy

The information is based on the mother’s own report of smoking at the maternity clinic or in other healthcare units.

Tobacco product consumption

The passenger imports of cigarettes and snus are monitored by conducting 500 telephone interviews nationwide every week. The sampling is carried out as a multistage stratified sample. The study sample represents the Finnish population aged 15–79, excluding Åland. The interview collects information on passenger imports of cigarettes and snus during the previous two weeks. Thus, data for a one‑year observation period are based on interview material from approximately 26,000 individuals, of whom about 2,311 had travelled abroad and responded to questions concerning passenger imports in 2024.

Prices and taxation of tobacco products

The prices of tobacco products are based on the consumer price index of Statistics Finland.
Consumer price index: documentation of statistics

The harmful costs of smoking

The methods for calculating the harmful costs of smoking are described in the publication: Tupakoinnin yhteiskunnalliset kustannukset ja niiden arviointimenetelmät.
Social costs of smoking and their assessment methods (abstract in English)

Data validation

The consistency of the data is compared with previous data, and if an error is suspected, the matter is checked with the data providers.

Data compilation

Prevalence of smoking among the population

Non-response is corrected in the ATH/FinSote and Healthy Finland survey datasets by using weighting coefficients, the calculation of which is based on register data available for the entire sample. With the weighting coefficients, the study population represents the overall population in terms of the variables used in the calculation.

Smoking during pregnancy

Those who smoked occasionally and those who smoked daily have been combined. The percentages are calculated from mothers who responded to the question on smoking.

Tobacco product consumption

Two methods have been used to estimate tobacco product consumption. Firstly, consumption is considered to consist of taxed tobacco deliveries from the beginning of December of the previous year to the end of November of the statistical year. This procedure is based on an estimate of the average storage time of tobacco—approximately just under one month—in wholesale and retail trade, as well as the timing of the so‑called year‑end purchases in December to the correct year. This provides a more accurate picture of the actual consumption during the calendar year.

Secondly, annual taxed consumption is described using the tobacco deliveries for each year from January to December. Consumption has been monitored in this way since 1940. To ensure the data providers’ privacy, fine‑cut tobacco used for rolling cigarettes has been combined with pipe and cigarette tobacco.

Prices and taxation of tobacco products

The prices of tobacco products are based on the consumer price index of Statistics Finland.
Consumer price index: documentation of statistics

The harmful costs of smoking

The costs of smoking were calculated using a calculation framework previously developed at THL (Vähänen 2015). The attributable fractions of smoking for the so‑called tobacco‑related diseases were calculated using the SAF attributable fraction formula. The disease‑specific relative risk figures used in the formula, as well as the diseases classified as tobacco‑related, were obtained from earlier research. The healthcare costs were calculated by applying the attributable fraction of tobacco‑related diseases to data on visits, treatment episodes and costs. The costs of income transfers were calculated in a corresponding manner for the direct costs of disability pensions and sickness allowances. The assessment of the costs of survivors’ pensions was made through smoking‑related mortality. In estimating the indirect costs of smoking, the human capital method was applied where appropriate.
Vähänen 2015: Social costs of smoking and their assessment methods (abstract in English)

Data revision

Information on smoking in the population is based on surveys in which the data are obtained in full at one point in time and are not supplemented later.

For other data, information from previous statistical years is updated retrospectively when necessary.

Cost and burden

The actual costs of the statistics have not been assessed. The response burden is low because the data are compiled from existing information.

Quality assessment of the statistics

Accuracy and reliability

The accuracy of the tobacco statistics ultimately depends on the correctness and precision of the information obtained from the data providers, namely the Customs, the Tax Administration, Statistics Finland and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

The text of the statistical report has been produced in collaboration by experts from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Finance. The authors are responsible for the correctness and accuracy of the sections they have written.

Prevalence of smoking among the population

The results concerning smoking among the adult population are based on sample-based surveys carried out as questionnaire studies. Sample-based surveys always involve a certain degree of uncertainty, but the larger the sample size and response rate, the lower the uncertainty. The coverage of data collection carried out by postal and online surveys can be assessed using non-response analyses, which examine, with the help of register data, how those who participated in the study differ from those who did not, and how non-response affects the results.

Coverage is lowest among young men, while participation rates are high among older people. It is also known that in survey studies, respondents often underreport their unfavourable health behaviours, either consciously or unconsciously. In questions related particularly to tobacco use, alcohol consumption and other substance use, the missing proportion is due partly to the fact that people who smoke heavily or use substances frequently are more likely than average to refrain from participating in surveys, and partly to the fact that those who do participate underestimate their tobacco use. In year‑to‑year comparisons, however, underreporting is not a problem, provided it can be assumed that it does not vary between years.
Healthy Finland survey 2024 statistical report
FinSote 2020 statistical report (in Finnish)

Smoking during pregnancy

The information recorded at maternity clinics or in other healthcare units is not transferred in full to the maternity hospitals, which submit the notifications to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

Tobacco product consumption

The passenger imports of nicotine pouches have been monitored since 2023. Before 2023, the recorded quantities of snus imports may also include the import of nicotine pouches, which became more common in the early 2020s. Therefore, the quantities of snus imports from before 2023 may not be directly comparable with the import quantities for 2023 or later.

Prices and taxation of tobacco products

The prices of tobacco products are based on the consumer price index of Statistics Finland.
Consumer price index: documentation of statistics

The harmful costs of smoking

There are several uncertainties associated with estimating the economic costs, and the figures presented should be regarded as indicative estimates of the order of magnitude of the costs.

Timeliness and punctuality

The tobacco statistics have been published annually, and the data are final. In the future, the tobacco statistics will be published every two years. No preliminary data will be released. The tobacco statistics are published in odd‑numbered years by the end of October.

Coherence and comparability

The Tobacco Statistics are part of an established set of official statistical publications. Data in the Tobacco Statistics are mainly available from 1980 onwards. Comparable time series on tobacco product consumption from 1970 onwards have been published in the study “Tupakka tupakkalain jälkeen” (Statistics Finland, Studies No. 135). Tobacco Statistics for the years 1980–2009 were compiled by Statistics Finland. Since 2010, the Tobacco Statistics have been produced by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Prevalence of smoking among the population

The numbers of respondents and response rates for the population surveys are presented in Table 1. The response rates to questions concerning smoking in the population do not differ significantly from the overall response rate of the survey.

The decrease in the number of participants in the School Health Promotion study in 2015 and 2017 was due to technical problems related to data collection. However, these problems did not materially affect the quality of the data reported at the national level, and the results can be considered nationally generalisable.

Years, respondents, response rates and age groups in population studies.
Study & Year Respondents Response rate (%) Age groups Supplementary tables
Healthy Finland 2024 20-64: 11 212
65+: 15 470		 20-64: 32,0
65+: 60,7		 20+ 1–5, 9–11
Healthy Finland 2022–2023,

Survey 1

 20-64: 12 976
65+: 15 178		 20-64: 36,7
65+: 57,8		 20+ 1–5, 9–11
Healthy Finland 2022–2023, Survey 2 4766 48,3 20+ Used in the text
FinSote 2020 20-64: 12 510
65+: 15 689		 20-64: 35,6
65+: 59,4		 20+ 1–5, 9–11
FinSote 2018 20-64: 11 378
65+: 15 044		 20-64: 34,4
65+: 57,2		 20+ 1–5, 9–11
ATH 2017 20-64: 3 663
65+: 3 261		 20-64: 37,2
65+: 63,3		 20+ 1–5, 9–11
ATH 2016 20-64: 1 345
65+: 1 115		 20-64: 40,8
65+: 65,5		 20+ 1–5, 9–11
ATH 2015 20-64: 11 931
65+: 8 407		 20-64: 46,6
65+: 67,9		 20+ 1–3, 9–10
ATH 2014 20-64: 11 592
65+: 8 113		 20-64: 45,4
65+: 65,9		 20+ 1–3
ATH 2013 20-64: 30 396
65+: 19 755		 20-64: 46,9
65+: 65,5		 20+ 1, 2
EVTK 1993–2013 ~1700–2000 / year 72–88 % / year 65–84 3, 10
AVTK 1996–2014 ~2600–3600 / year 51–84 % / year 20–64 1–5, 9–11
KOTT 2024 3 639 31 % 18–34 Figure 4, text
KOTT 2021 6 258 53 % 18–34 Figure 4, text
KOTT 2016 3 114 31 % 18–34 Figure 4, text
KOTT 2012 4 409 44 % 18–34 Figure 4, text
KOTT 2008 5 105 51 % 18–34 Figure 4, text
KOTT 2004 3 153 63 % 18–34 Text
KOTT 2000 3 174 63 % 18–34 Text
School Health Promotion Study 2025 Secondary sch.: 94 743
Upper secondary sch.: 47 248
Vocational sch.: 24 469		 Secondary sch.: 73
Upper secondary sch.: 70
Vocational sch.: 37		 14–20 6–8,12
School Health Promotion Study 2023 Secondary sch.: 90 981
Upper secondary sch.: 44 862
Vocational sch.: 21 371		 Secondary sch.: 73
Upper secondary sch.: 68
Vocational sch.: 31		 14–20 6–8,12
School Health Promotion Study 2021 Secondary sch.: 94 389
Upper secondary sch.: 47 410
Vocational sch.: 23 234		 Secondary sch.: 77
Upper secondary sch.: 71
Vocational sch.: 35		 14–20 6–8,12
School Health Promotion Study 2019 Secondary sch.: 89 442
Upper secondary sch.: 44 560
Vocational sch.: 25 032		 Secondary sch.: 75
Upper secondary sch.: 69
Vocational sch.: -		 14–20 6–8,12
School Health Promotion Study 2017 Secondary sch.: 75 065
Upper secondary sch.: 34 661
Vocational sch.: 27 694		 Secondary sch.: 64
Upper secondary sch.: 55
Vocational sch.: -		 14–20 6–8,12
School Health Promotion Study 2015 Secondary sch.: 50 404
Upper secondary sch.: 38 760
Vocational sch.: 31 236		 Secondary sch.: 43
Upper secondary sch.: 62
Vocational sch.: -		 14–20 6–8,12
School Health Promotion Study 2013 Secondary sch.: 99 478
Upper secondary sch.: 48 610
Vocational sch.: 34 776		 Secondary sch.: 84
Upper secondary sch.: 77
Vocational sch.: -		 14–20 6–7,12
School Health Promotion Study 2010–2011 Secondary sch.: 102 545
Upper secondary sch.: 48 383
Vocational sch.: 41 486		 Secondary sch.: 80
Upper secondary sch.: 73
Vocational sch.: -		 14–20 6–7,12
School Health Promotion Study 2008–2009 Secondary sch.: 108 649
Upper secondary sch.: 50 467
Vocational sch.: 40 641		 Secondary sch.: 82
Upper secondary sch.: 74
Vocational sch.: -		 14–20 6–7,12
School Health Promotion Study 2006–2007 Secondary sch.: 109 127
Upper secondary sch.: 52 762		 Secondary sch.: 82
Upper secondary sch.: 76		 14–20 6–7,12
School Health Promotion Study 2004–2005 Secondary sch.: 105 478
Upper secondary sch.: 52 685		 Secondary sch.: 81
Upper secondary sch.: 74		 14–20 6–7,12
School Health Promotion Study 2002–2003 Secondary sch.: 100 790
Upper secondary sch.: 52 741		 Secondary sch.: 81
Upper secondary sch.: 69		 14–20 6–7,12
School Health Promotion Study 2000–2001 Secondary sch.: 95 318
Upper secondary sch.: 50 367		 Secondary sch.: 74
Upper secondary sch.: 60		 14–20 6–7,12

Smoking during pregnancy

Information on smoking during pregnancy has been more precise in the perinatal statistics since 2017: data are now collected on those who smoked occasionally or daily after the first trimester of pregnancy, whereas previously data were collected on anyone who had smoked after the first trimester.

Tobacco product consumption

The quantity of taxed tobacco products varies because different amounts of tobacco products are released for taxed consumption in connection with increases in tobacco tax. Tobacco tax has recently been raised in 2009, 2012 and between 2014 and 2024. Therefore, the taxed quantity does not reflect the actual level of consumption in any given year.

In 2017–2018 and in 2020, exceptionally large quantities of cigarettes were returned to duty‑free warehouses, which meant that the actual number of taxed cigarettes was lower.

Due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, and the resulting reduction in travel, passenger imports of tobacco products were exceptionally low in 2020–2021. During 2022, travel restrictions were lifted, which was reflected, among other things, in an increase in passenger imports.

Prices and taxation of tobacco products

The prices of tobacco products are based on the consumer price index compiled by Statistics Finland.
Consumer price index: documentation of statistics

Institutional mandate

The collection of data for the Tobacco Statistics is based on the Tobacco Act (546/2016) and the Act on the National Institute for Health and Welfare (668/2008).

The production of the statistics is based on the Act on the National Institute for Health and Welfare (688/2008) and the Statistics Act (280/2004). As an official duty, THL is responsible for producing statistical data on the health and wellbeing of the population, the factors influencing them, and the use and performance of social and health services, to support decision‑making, development and research. The practices of THL’s statistical production are guided by the guidelines, recommendations and regulations of Eurostat and the Official Statistics of Finland, as well as by statistical ethical principles.

Data sharing and publishing

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare publishes the data in advance at the time indicated in the publication calendar, every second year. The data are released to all users simultaneously.
Publication calendar

Some of the data from the Tobacco Statistics can also be retrieved from the Sotkanet Indicator Bank using the keyword “tupakointi”. More detailed information from the School Health Promotion study on young people’s smoking, snus use and e‑cigarette use is available online. More detailed information on the use of tobacco and nicotine products among higher education students can be found in the online reports from 2024 and 2021, and the 2016 data in the report of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS).
Sotkanet Indicator Bank
Results of the School Health Promotion Study (in Finnish)
Results of the KOTT survey
Student Health Survey 2016: a national survey among Finnish university students. (Abstract in English)

The index point figures and annual changes (%) for tobacco can be found in the consumer price index (2015=100) table of Statistics Finland’s StatFin database. The quantities of taxed tobacco products can be found in the taxation figures of the excise duty statistics of the Finnish Tax Administration.
StatFin / Consumer price index
Statistical databases of the Finnish Tax Administration

Confidentiality

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, as a public authority, is obliged to report aggregated information on health and wellbeing covering the whole country. The data used in compiling THL’s statistics are predominantly confidential, and personal data may not be published. The protection of the data processed is based on the Act on the National Institute for Health and Welfare (688/2008), the Statistics Act (280/2004), the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999), the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the Data Protection Act (1050/2018), and other regulations governing the institute’s operations.

THL’s data sets are protected at all stages of processing. Only those who have the right to use a specific data set for clearly defined purposes may access the data and information systems. No one else has the possibility to view, process, modify or delete the data. Written guidance has been prepared to ensure the data protection of the final statistics. All THL personnel are bound by confidentiality obligations.

Special issues concerning the 2024-2025 statistics

Tobacco tax was increased once in November 2024. In previous years, tobacco tax was usually increased twice a year, in January and July.

In the 2025 School Health Promotion study, the questions assessing the use of tobacco products among young people (aged 14–20) were revised. Until 2023, these behaviours were asked about using four separate questions. Smoking (cigarettes, pipe‑filled products and cigars) was assessed with a two‑part question: the first part asked about the number of times these products had been used, and the second part asked about the frequency of current smoking. The frequency of e‑cigarette use was assessed using a four‑part matrix question that listed different types of liquids. The frequency of snus and nicotine pouch use was asked in a separate matrix question. In 2025, the questions added to the form over the years were harmonised into a single matrix question. The response options were designed so that the question can be used to produce, for example, the proportions of daily users and current users. The impact of the changes to the questions on the continuity of the trends was assessed as minor when examining long‑term trends and when comparing, for instance, with results from the 2024 ESPAD study.
Nuorten päihteiden käyttö ja rahapelaaminen - ESPAD-tutkimus 2024. Statistical report 42/2024, THL (in Finnish)

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