Cigarettes are losing importance. Data show a clear shift among young people
Enter here Generation Z may become the first generation in Norway in which daily smoking remains a marginal phenomenon. In 2026, 6 percent of residents aged 16–79 smoke cigarettes daily, while 15 percent use snus every day. The data also show a clear difference between younger and older cohorts.
Young people are moving away from cigarettes, but one product remains popular.
Fot. Pixabay (zdjęcie poglądowe)
The change in habits is evident in data from the past 10 years. Statistics Norway (SSB) reports that in 2017, 22 percent of residents smoked cigarettes or used snus daily, and the number of users of both products was similar at the time. Today, the proportions are different. In 2026, a total of 21 percent of respondents use cigarettes or snus daily, with snus users outnumbering daily smokers by more than two to one.
Young people rarely smoke. The difference between generations is clear
Cohorts born from the mid-1990s onwards differ markedly from earlier generations. SSB notes that in older cohorts, a significant share of young adults smoked daily, while among those born later, the percentage remained very low from the outset. This is particularly evident around the age of 18. Among people born in 1990–1994, 8 percent smoked daily at that age; among those born in 1995–1999, it was 2 percent; and among those born after 2000, just 1 percent.
The changes also affect people who previously smoked more frequently. In the 1990–1994 cohort, the share of daily smokers declined with age, despite being clearly higher initially than in younger cohorts. By around the age of 27, only 3 percent of this group smoked daily. The same figure was recorded among people born in 1995–1999 when they reached a similar age.
The changes also affect people who previously smoked more frequently. In the 1990–1994 cohort, the share of daily smokers declined with age, despite being clearly higher initially than in younger cohorts. By around the age of 27, only 3 percent of this group smoked daily. The same figure was recorded among people born in 1995–1999 when they reached a similar age.
Snus remains popular. The decline in smoking does not mean the end of tobacco
When it comes to snus, the differences between generations are smaller. Among people born in 1990–1994, daily smoking between the ages of 16 and 34 fell by 6 percentage points, while daily snus use increased by 12 percentage points over the same period. At around the age of 18, 17 percent of this group used snus daily. The share continued to rise in later years of life.
However, the data do not indicate that the decline in the number of smokers has been replaced solely by snus. SSB points out that snus is also used by people who had not previously smoked cigarettes. Between 2025 and 2026, the two oldest cohorts analysed recorded a relatively large decline in daily snus use. For now, it is unknown whether this is the result of changes in the survey sample or the beginning of a new downward trend.
However, the data do not indicate that the decline in the number of smokers has been replaced solely by snus. SSB points out that snus is also used by people who had not previously smoked cigarettes. Between 2025 and 2026, the two oldest cohorts analysed recorded a relatively large decline in daily snus use. For now, it is unknown whether this is the result of changes in the survey sample or the beginning of a new downward trend.
The highest share of daily smokers is currently found in older age groups. Among people aged 65–79, 40 percent say they used to smoke daily, while another 12 percent smoked occasionally. At the same time, around two-thirds of former smokers had never previously used snus, meaning they quit smoking without replacing cigarettes with this product.
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