Eurostat data reveals that, in 2025, around 15.2% of the Portuguese population over 16 years of age smoked daily, whether tobacco or "related products," the seventh lowest rate in the European Union (EU).
Consumption increases in Portugal
However, unlike most other European countries, tobacco consumption in Portugal is increasing: in 2022 (the last time Eurostat released data on this subject), only 14.1% of the Portuguese population admitted to smoking.
Data from the European statistical service shows that 20.6% of men in Portugal smoke daily, compared to 10.4% among women.
The population aged 35 to 49 smokes the most, with 21.3% doing so daily, followed by the 25 to 34 age group (19.9%) and the 50 to 64 age group (19.8%).
Decrease in consumption across Europe
Across the rest of the EU, tobacco consumption decreased in 17 Member States, with the European average of people who smoke daily falling from 17.5% in 2022 to 16.5% in 2025.
The Netherlands is the Member State where the population smokes the least, with only 9.9% doing so daily, followed by Ireland (11.7%), Belgium (13.6%) and Luxembourg (13.8%).
Germany (14.9%) and Spain (15%) still have lower rates than Portugal.
Conversely, Bulgaria recorded the highest levels of daily consumption (26.3%), as did Sweden (23.9%) and Croatia (23.6%).














Judging by the trillions, and yes, that is probably right, of cigarette butts strewn along roadsides, I am surprised to read this. The number of "beatas," as they are called in Portugal, thrown as litter in Portugal is mind-boggling and not in a good way.
By Steve Andrews from Other on 05 Aug 2026, 12:22
True, too much smoking in Portugal, especially at the beaches where the sand was littered with butts. But I was last at a beach in Portugal in 1999 so perhaps things have changed. Still, to me it's a tradeoff between smoking a plant and that awful artificial vaping which seems to go hand in hand with people sporting ugly piercings.
By Tony from USA on 05 Aug 2026, 22:46