As Swedes enter their first full year as officially smoke-free, leading international health experts are calling on other countries to follow their example and eradicate smoking through the use of safer alternatives.
While New Zealand looks likeliest to succeed after endorsing vapes as a stop-smoking tool, many other nations are putting lives at risk by taking a negative approach towards tobacco harm reduction (THR) products, according to Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden.
"The Swedes’ remarkable achievement in becoming smoke-free is a testament to the power of strong public health policy and the adoption of safer smoke-free alternatives,” Dr. Human said.
“On the other side of the world, New Zealand is showing this success can be replicated as progressive policies promise to deliver a smoke-free future for that nation. However, far too many countries elsewhere are refusing to learn from this real-world evidence.
"Every day that goes by without these other countries embracing harm reduction policies is another day that they fail to save lives."
Sweden has set out a policy roadmap for the world by making safer alternatives - such as snus, nicotine pouches and vapes - accessible, acceptable and affordable for adults. Official figures released in November showed that the number of Swedish-born over-16s who smoke cigarettes has dropped to 4.6%, well below the global benchmark for smoke-free status.
Among all adults in Sweden, smoking prevalence is 5.3%. Remarkably, the data reveals that Swedish citizens born elsewhere in Europe would on average be three times more likely to smoke if they had not moved to Sweden. Average smoking rates in Europe (24%) are five times higher than Sweden’s.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has halved its smoking rates from 13.3% in 2018 to 6.8% in 2023 after promoting the use of vapes as a smoking cessation tool.
"Sweden and New Zealand are leading by example, demonstrating that with the right policies and tools, we can achieve a smoke-free future," Dr. Human said.
"Vapes and pouches are significantly less harmful than combustible cigarettes and have been proven to be the most effective tool for helping smokers to quit their deadly habit.
"Now it’s time for other nations to heed this evidence and follow best practice. Governments worldwide must recognise the critical role that smoke-free alternatives play in cutting smoking rates and saving millions of lives."
About Smoke Free Sweden
Smoke Free Sweden is a campaign which encourages other countries to follow the Swedish model when it comes to Tobacco Harm Reduction. Sweden’s smoke free success can be attributed to its open attitude towards alternative nicotine products.
For more information on Sweden’s successful approach to becoming a smoke free nation, please visit www.smokefreesweden.org.
