Aims: There is a lack of longitudinal, population-based studies on the association between education and smoking cessation. A more thorough examination of this association is needed to address inequalities in smoking. Methods: The longitudinal Health 2000 Survey and Health 2011 Survey, representing the Finnish population aged ⩾30 years, were analysed. Of the 1352 baseline daily smokers, 945 (70%) provided a smoking status at the follow-up. The analytic sample size was 884 (excluding the follow-up occasional smokers). Self-reported questionnaire data and measurements (e.g. plasma cotinine) from the baseline were utilised. The outcome variable was smoking cessation at the follow-up, and the main explanatory variable was education. Logistic regression was the main method for statistical analyses. All of the analyses accounted for the sampling design. Results: At the follow-up, 28% of the baseline daily smokers had quit smoking. An adjusted regression model showed that highly educated respondents had a higher likelihood of quitting smoking compared with those with basic education. Controlling for demographic and health-related variables had a modest effect on this association. Higher scores for plasma cotinine, symptoms of depression and heavy alcohol use were associated with a lower likelihood of quitting smoking. The association between education and smoking cessation was weaker for women than it was for men. Conclusions: High education is associated with smoking cessation among the general adult population, especially among men. A higher plasma cotinine level is strongly associated with continued smoking among both sexes. Background variables only modestly affected the association between education and smoking cessation.

Smoking is declining, but it is unevenly distributed among population groups. Our aim was to examine the socio-economic differences in smoking during 1978–2016 in Finland, a country with a history of strict tobacco control policy.

Introduction: To assess the feasibility of developing World Health Organization (WHO) European Region countries’ goals and measures in line with tobacco endgame objectives, information on the current tobacco control context and capacity is needed. The aim of this study was to assess the...

Introduction: In 2016, the Finnish Tobacco Act was revised to harmonise e‐cigarette regulations with the EU Tobacco Products Directive. Unlike before, the sale of nicotine‐containing e‐liquids was allowed while additional national regulations included, for example, a ban for other than unflavoured and tobacco‐flavoured e‐liquids. This study examines the correlates of e‐cigarette use before and after the comprehensive regulatory change, and characteristics and correlates of flavoured e‐cigarette use after the flavour ban in the general Finnish population.Methods: Repeated cross‐sectional population‐based drug surveys for 15–69‐year‐olds in 2014 (n = 3485; 50% response rate) and in 2018 (n = 3229; 46%). Correlates of e‐cigarette use were studied with logistic regression models.Results: Current e‐cigarette use remained infrequent (approximately 2%) and the correlates of e‐cigarette use varied only slightly between the study years. In 2018, of past‐year e‐cigarette users (n = 316), 43% used unflavoured e‐liquids, 24% used tobacco and 43% used other flavours, fruits being the most common. In univariate models, demographic variables, smoking and e‐cigarette use‐related factors were associated with flavoured e‐cigarette use. In multivariable models, those who used e‐cigarettes to experiment used unflavoured e‐cigarettes more likely than other than tobacco flavours (odds ratio 3.00, 95% confidence interval 1.15–7.82).Discussion and Conclusions: In Finland, the regulated entry of nicotine‐containing e‐liquids to retail sales has not led to increased e‐cigarette use in the general population. After the flavour ban, other than tobacco‐flavoured e‐cigarette use still occurs. The use of flavoured e‐cigarettes is associated with reasons for e‐cigarette use. Flavoured e‐cigarette use and its correlates warrant further monitoring.

The European Union (EU) aims for a tobacco use prevalence of less than 5% by 2040 with its Tobacco-Free Generation goal, aligning with the tobacco endgame approach. In the Joint Action on Tobacco Control 2 (JATC-2) -project, we examined adopted and planned endgame goals and measures as well as preparedness to counter tobacco industry interference in the process. We surveyed key informants in 24 out of 50 countries in the WHO European Region (19 of the 27 EU Member States, MS). Altogether, eight countries (7 EU MS) had official governmental endgame goals, and an additional six EU MS had similar proposals from government, civil society or research entities. Movement towards tobacco endgame was most evident in retail-oriented and consumer-oriented policies. These include restricting the sales of tobacco and related products and raising the age limit above 18 years. Product standards were used especially to regulate flavours but no measures to substantially reduce addictiveness were reported. Market-oriented measures that tap into industry profits were predominantly missing, and countries often lacked concrete tools to prevent industry interference. Respondents’ concerns around tobacco endgame were related to high smoking prevalence in some population groups, non-combustible and new nicotine products, cross-border marketing, political will, challenges with the existing regulations and industry interference. Results indicate both momentum and challenges in adopting and disseminating measures that facilitate achieving tobacco endgame goals. The EU goal can be used to advocate for national endgame goals and measures, and for the strengthened implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.