Mapping indicators of tobacco and related product use: Unveiling challenges and variations in the Eurobarometer surveys over three decades

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The European Commission's Special Eurobarometer surveys on tobacco are widely used as comparable and representative data across the European Union for monitoring consumption patterns. Despite their broad use, certain challenges persist, including inconsistencies in survey timelines and variations in the collected information across waves. This study aims to identify available tobacco and related product indicators, and assess their temporal comparability, to support researchers to better understand the potential uses of these data and their alignment with other sources. METHODS We explored questionnaires and reports in these surveys on tobacco from the Eurobarometer official website since its inception (1992, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023 waves). We extracted and compared questions and responses on use of tobacco and related products, as well as on sociodemographic variables. Finally, we compared all indicators, including frequency and wording, and further mapped the consistency of the indicators and type of product used across the different waves. RESULTS Current, daily, former and never use of conventional cigarettes has been consistently assessed across all waves, enabling temporal comparisons. From 2009, the surveys have expanded to include e-cigarette use; since 2012, the surveys include various combusted products such as cigars, pipes, cigarillos, and waterpipes, and from 2020, heated tobacco products. By contrast, detailed data on product-specific use intensity and initiation remain limited. While indicators for secondhand smoke exposure and smoking cessation were present in multiple waves, their comparability is hindered by variations in question-wording and responses. CONCLUSIONS Some challenges exist in using Eurobarometer surveys for temporal estimation of tobacco-related burden. Nonetheless, these surveys remain a valuable and unique tool for monitoring tobacco and related product use across the European Union. To further enhance their utility, periodic re-evaluation by tobacco control experts is recommended to ensure that the surveys maintain comparability with past data while capturing effectively emerging products and trends.