Tobacco Harm Reduction in action
Lowest smoking rate in Europe, 5.6% vs. 23% EU average[1]
Similar usage of tobacco per capita vs. EU
Lowest lung, trachea and bronchus mortality rates in the EU[6]
Sweden: Soon Europe's First 'Smoke-Free' Country
AT A GLANCE
Sweden is reaping the benefits of Tobacco Harm Reduction
39.6%
lower rate of death from tobacco-related diseases compared to the EU average[1]
41%
lower incidence of cancer than EU average[1]
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Based on current trends, Sweden will soon become a smoke-free society. Smoking in Sweden has fallen to just 5.6% of people over the age of 16, compared to 15% in 2008. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers countries to be smoke-free when smoking prevalence is less than 5% of the population.[2] As a result, Sweden is reaping the benefits.[3]
A key to Sweden’s success has been its openness to allow the sale of smokeless alternatives to cigarettes that satisfy adult smokers’ desire for nicotine, and to avoid excessively restricting these products.
Since the 1970s, snus, a moist, pasteurised Oral Tobacco Product, has been contributing to Sweden’s lower smoking rate and the reduced incidence of smoking-related disease and death, when compared to the rest of Europe. The introduction of newer, smokeless alternative products has continued to propel it towards a smoke-free society. Vaping was first introduced in 2015 and Oral Nicotine Pouches became available in 2018.
"Sweden has shown that THR can be accelerated through providing smokers access to Smokeless Products."
Asli Ertonguc
Area Director, British American Tobacco UK Limited
Source: Statistics Sweden, ages 16 - 84 years[4]
3.5m
In Europe, 3.5 million early deaths could be prevented across the EU if other countries adopted the ‘Swedish model’.[1]
Swedish adult smokers have access to a wide range of Smokeless Products – snus, Oral Nicotine Pouches, Vapour Products, and Heated Products – which are legal and available both online and in stores.
There are a wide range of flavours and nicotine concentrations.
Smokeless Products are more affordable than cigarettes because products are taxed based upon estimated risk profile. Products that are judged to be higher risk, are taxed higher.[5]
Learning from Sweden’s success story and replicating its approach on a global scale are considered both critical to driving down smoking rates, and reducing tobacco-related health risks, diseases and premature deaths.
In Europe, 3.5 million early deaths could be prevented if other countries adopted the ‘Swedish model.’[1] Smoking is a significant public health challenge, and it is essential that governments use proven approaches to reduce smoking.
2022 Lung, Trachea and Bronchus Cancer Deaths
Age-Standardised Rate (world) per 100,000
Mortality, Both Sexes, Age 15-85+, in 2022[7]
Snus illegal in the EU
Despite its reduced-risk status relative to cigarettes, snus is illegal in the EU with the exception of Sweden.
Tobacco Harm Reduction in action
References
[3] Farsalinos, K., et al., No Smoke Less Harm. Smoke Free Sweden, 2024.
[4] Folkh.lsomyndigheten, Tobacco and nicotine use (self-reported) by age, sex and year. Percentage. (Accessed: 29 July 2024)
[6] The Swedish Parliament, Excise taxes on nicotine-containing consumer products after the year 2023, 2022. (Accessed: 24 July 2024)
