Ratio of regular smokers on wane but below target

The percentage of the regular smokers in the country has decreased steadily and is expected to continue decreasing, said the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in a press release on Tuesday referring to a study.

However, according to forecasts, the national target of only 5% of the population using tobacco products in 2030 will not be achieved.

The study done by the THL assessed how the risk factors of the adult population contracting chronic diseases will develop by 2040.

Meanwhile, the risk factors for Finns contracting many chronic diseases have decreased over the past 20 years.

Obesity is still on the rise and is expected to continue increasing in the coming years.

Many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and several cancers, are based on the same lifestyle risk factors: smoking, low levels of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption and unhealthy eating habits as well as the resulting increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, obesity and diabetes.

According to the study, risk factors for chronic diseases have increased and will continue to do so in the future.

Obesity has increased over the past 20 years and is expected to continue. The increase in obesity is mainly due to an increase in weight among those who are already overweight, not those who are of normal weight.

The percentage of people engaging in little physical activity has remained almost unchanged, and no major change is expected by 2040.

Both elevated blood pressure and total cholesterol have decreased over the past 20 years, and the decrease is expected to continue until 2040.

Diabetes is likely to become more common as obesity increases. However, the forecast is uncertain due to the limited amount of data.

"According to the results, the risk factors of key chronic diseases vary in both directions. A reduction in smoking and a decrease in blood pressure and total cholesterol levels also have a positive impact on the morbidity of chronic diseases,” said Research Programme Director Hanna Tolonen of THL.

"However, the continuous increase in obesity is a cause for concern. If weight increases among those already overweight, it is likely to affect the spread of, for example, diabetes and other diseases,” Tolonen added.