Understanding Sweden’s Smoke-Free Revolution: A Model for Global Health

The journey towards a smoke-free world has been complex, with various entities working tirelessly to navigate the intricacies. Sweden has emerged as a star, effectively managing its smoking prevalence down to an impressive 5.6 percent from over 30 percent in the 1980s. This remarkable turnaround places the nation on the precipice of achieving smoke-free status this year - writes Federico N. Fernández

A goal reached two years ahead of its own schedule and a staggering 17 years in advance of the broader EU ambition. On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission (EC) have been spearheading the charge with the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), respectively.

These bodies have enacted stringent regulations, including outright product bans and tax increases. While the initial application of these preventive and cessation-focused measures succeeded in reducing the smoking populace, recent trends have unfortunately seen a stagnation, and in some cases, an increase.

How did Sweden outpace the rest of Europe? What makes the Swedish case revolutionary?The answer lies in its comprehensive approach to smoking reduction, which blends tradition and innovation and places consumers at the center.

Sweden applies the FCTC’s guidelines, scoring high in WHO’s ranking of countries that have adopted measures recommended to curtail smoking, and it has transposed the EU’s TPD. What sets Sweden apart from other countries is that multiple Swedish governments decided, against the Commission's and the WHO's advice, to use the Nordic tradition of oral tobacco products such as Snus to encourage smokers to stop. In recent years, Snus was joined by more modern and innovative products such as nicotine pouches,vapes, and heated tobacco. By effectively balancing traditional tobacco control measures and promoting safer nicotine alternatives, Sweden has found a formula for success.

A closer look at Sweden's approach reveals that they have meticulously addressed four key factors to ensure smokers change to Alternative Nicotine Products (ANPs): accessibility, acceptability, gender sensitivities, and affordability. Sweden’s holistic approach has resulted in impressive health outcomes: the lowest rates of smoking-related diseases in Europe. Looking at cancers associated with smoking, Swedish rates are 38 percent lower than the EU average, and cancer incidence rates are 41 percent lower.

The Swedish model, underscored by its impressive results, provides valuable lessons for the EU, WHO, and the world at large. The success story suggests that a smoke-free society can be attained more swiftly through a comprehensive, non-prohibitionist approach. This involves embracing both traditional measures and innovative solutions, catering to individual preferences, ensuring affordability, and providing easy access to safer nicotine alternatives.

Despite Sweden's significant strides in tobacco control, acknowledgement from the WHO and EC has been noticeably sparse. To bridge this gap, these organizations might consider conducting a case study on Sweden's successful strategy. By embracing such a dialogue, we can broaden our understanding and collaboratively improve our global approach to public health.

Pursuing a smoke-free society is not just a health target but a global commitment towards a healthier, brighter future. As we navigate our paths towards achieving this goal, drawing inspiration from Sweden's journey can help us address the pressing public health challenge of smoking more effectively. Learning from Sweden's comprehensive approach can accelerate our journey towards a smoke-free world.

* Federico N. Fernández is a visionary leader dedicated to driving innovation and change. As the CEO of We Are Innovation, a global network of 30+ think tanks and NGOs, Federico champions innovative solutions worldwide. His expertise and passion for innovation have earned him recognition from prestigious publications such as The Economist, El País, Folha de São Paulo, and Newsweek. Federico has also delivered inspiring speeches and lectures across three continents, authored numerous scholarly articles, and co-edited several books on economics.

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