Sweden Promotes Nicotine Alternatives, Smoking Rate Set to Drop to Lowest in the EU

Key points:

·Sweden has the lowest smoking rate in Europe and the lowest lung cancer mortality rate in the EU. 

·Smokeless nicotine products help reduce smoking rates in the country. 

·Sweden plans to become the world's first smoke-free country.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to Euro Weekly News on August 4th, Sweden is leading a smoke-free revolution in Europe, becoming the country with the lowest smoking rates. At the same time, Sweden has the lowest lung cancer death rate in the EU, with this trend continuing to decline, especially among elderly men and in densely populated cities.

Sweden has achieved such success in tobacco control thanks to the country's increased accessibility to nicotine products with lower harm compared to cigarettes, rather than comprehensive restrictions on nicotine and tobacco products. These products mainly include smokeless tobacco products like Snus, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes, which are not only widely accepted in society but also more affordable than traditional cigarettes. More importantly, these products greatly reduce the risk of secondhand smoke, creating a safer environment for non-smokers.

Snus is one of the most popular smokeless tobacco products in Sweden. This small, smokeless product is placed between the gums and lips, and has been a major factor in reducing the number of smokers in the country, especially among Swedish men. In addition, nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes are also widely used and have gained public acceptance as tools to help nicotine addicts quit smoking. The Swedish government is actively promoting these products as alternatives to traditional cigarettes, while also controlling the consumption of tobacco and related legislation in the country.

Currently, Sweden is on track to become the world's first smoke-free country, leading other EU countries by 17 years. Data shows that only about 5% of adults in Sweden smoke daily. According to the World Health Organization's standards, a country must have a daily smoking rate of less than 5% among adults nationwide to be officially declared "smoke-free.

However, despite the decrease in smoking rates, nicotine addiction has not disappeared. For example, overuse of e-cigarettes may lead to serious health consequences, although as a relatively new product, there is currently a lack of long-term evidence on its health effects. In addition, e-cigarettes are associated with a lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans, and the widely popular Snus products may also have negative health effects, although they do not directly cause lung cancer, but are known to increase the risk of esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

In the case of nicotine products, the ideal situation is for the public to understand all potential health risks they may cause, especially with long-term daily consumption. In Sweden, they have chosen the lesser evil approach and are moving towards a smoke-free direction.