Sweden has made anti-smoking history by becoming the first country in the world to be officially declared ‘smoke free,’ new government figures reveal.
The data, released by Sweden’s public health agency today, shows that just 4.5 per cent of Swedish-born adults now smoke - well under the globally recognised benchmark of five per cent to achieve smoke free status.
The Scandinavian country has hit the impressive milestone 16 years ahead of the European Union target, which most of its fellow member states are set to miss by some distance.
Average smoking rates in Europe currently sit at 24 per cent - five times higher than Sweden.
Vapes are the key to Sweden’s anti-smoking success
Sweden says its anti-smoking success is down to its pioneering approach to vaping and other nicotine alternatives that are far safer than cigarettes.
Dr. Anders Milton, a physician and former president and CEO of the Swedish Medical Association, says: “Key to Sweden’s success is its pragmatic focus on harm reduction rather than prohibition.
“A wide range of safer nicotine products, with a variety of strengths and flavours, is legally available both online and in stores, supported by advertising, which raises awareness and encourages uptake.
“The Swedish government also applies a proportional excise tax, keeping smoke-free products more affordable than cigarettes. This tax policy, coupled with public education campaigns, has empowered Swedish consumers to make healthier choices and contributed to the country’s leading role in tobacco harm reduction.”
Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden, said Sweden’s “outstanding achievement” marks a major moment in global health that should inspire the rest of the world.
He said: “In the early 1960s, nearly half of Swedish men smoked. By embracing and encouraging the use of alternative nicotine products such as snus, oral nicotine pouches and vapes, Sweden has paved a clear path to a smoke-free society while safeguarding public health.
“They should serve as a beacon of hope for the rest of the world and as inspirational proof that a pragmatic, enlightened approach can deliver sensational public health gains and save lives.”
The new statistics show that 5.3 per cent of all adults in Sweden - including immigrants - currently smoke. Remarkably, it reveals that people born elsewhere in Europe would be three times more likely to smoke if they had not moved to Sweden.
Far-reaching health benefits
The health benefits of Sweden’s successful anti-smoking strategy are far reaching.
A landmark report earlier this year shows that Sweden has the lowest percentage of tobacco-related diseases in the EU and a 41 per cent lower incidence of cancer than other European countries.
Despite Sweden proving that a progressive policy towards vaping and nicotine alternatives works to greatly reduce smoking rates, other countries have pressed ahead with strict bans. This has caused them to stall - or even go backwards - in their bids to become smoke free.
Dr. Human said: “While Sweden celebrates this historic achievement, most other nations remain far from reaching their smoke-free goals. Their rigid, prohibitionist policies limit access to safer nicotine alternatives, including oral nicotine products and e-cigarettes.
“These regressive measures are pushing smokers away from potentially life-saving tools and stalling progress toward reducing tobacco harm.
“Rather than follow Sweden’s lead, these nations are heading in the opposite direction, with smoking prevalence stagnating or even rising. Sweden's success is living proof that alternative nicotine products are a powerful force for positive change when supported by evidence-based policies.
“Smoke Free Sweden calls on all countries to re-evaluate their tobacco control strategies and adopt harm reduction as a central pillar in their fight against smoking. Sweden’s smoke free status should be a wake-up call to policymakers across the globe: progressive, science-backed policies on nicotine alternatives can make smoking history without sacrificing public health goals.”
