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Tag: Sweden

  • Sweden Wants Others to Follow its Harm-Reduction Success

    Sweden Wants Others to Follow its Harm-Reduction Success

    Sweden is boasting about its success with tobacco harm-reduction and is encouraging our countries to follow suit. Only 4.5% of Swedish-born adults smoke cigarettes which, according to the government, is owed to its policies that push safer alternatives like snus, nicotine pouches, and vapes.

    “Swedes have participated in a long-running harm reduction experiment, providing undeniable proof that replacing smoking with smokeless nicotine dramatically reduces smoking-related disease, disability and premature deaths – a net gain for public health, while reducing expenditure,” said Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden. “With harm reduction now policy in Sweden, every public health decision will reflect this approach. Other countries should adopt Sweden’s model without further delay.”

    Sweden’s Parliament formally adopted harm-reduction as a policy in December 2024, saying “Tobacco policy must consider the varying harmful effects of different products. Cigarettes pose a greater health hazard than smokeless nicotine… This must be reflected in taxation and policy goals.”

    Sweden has already applied risk-based taxation by lowering excise tax on snus while increasing it on cigarettes.

  • Sweden Achieves ‘Smoke Free’ Status

    Sweden Achieves ‘Smoke Free’ Status

    Image: Summit Art Creations

    Sweden officially became “smoke free” on Nov. 13

    Health data released by Sweden’s public health agency show that just 4.5 percent of the nation’s Swedish-born adults smoke—below the globally recognized benchmark of 5 percent for smoke free status.

    At 24 percent, average smoking rates in Europe are five times higher than Sweden’s.

    According to tobacco harm reduction activists, the Swedes’ success is the result of their pioneering policy approach to safer alternatives to cigarettes.

    “This outstanding achievement marks a significant moment in global public health and stands as a testament to the progressive policies that have guided Sweden’s approach to tobacco control,” said Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden, in a statement.

    “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.”

    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.

    Delon Human, Smoke Free Sweden

    The new statistics show that 5.3 percent of all adults in Sweden, including immigrants, currently smoke. Remarkably, the data also reveals that people born elsewhere in Europe would be three times more likely to smoke if they had not moved to Sweden.

    “Key to Sweden’s success is its pragmatic focus on harm reduction rather than prohibition,” said Anders Milton, a physician and former president and CEO of the Swedish Medical Association.

    “A wide range of safer nicotine products, with a variety of strengths and flavors, 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.”

    As a result of its strategy, Sweden has the lowest percentage of tobacco-related diseases in the EU and a 41 percent lower incidence of cancer than other European countries.

    “While Sweden celebrates this historic achievement, most other nations remain far from reaching their smoke-free goals,” said Human. “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.

  • Smoking Decline Traced to Noncombustibles

    Smoking Decline Traced to Noncombustibles

    Photo: Natalia

    Sweden’s smoking rate is poised to dip below 5 percent, a share that is widely considered the hallmark of a “smoke-free” society, reports The Business Mirror.

    Only 5.6 percent of Swedish adults smoked cigarettes in 2022, down from 49 percent of men in 1960, according Sweden’s public health agency. As a result, Sweden has 52 percent fewer tobacco-related male deaths than Poland and 57 percent fewer than Romania. For male lung cancer, Sweden has significantly fewer deaths than France, Germany, Italy and Poland.

    A report titled “No Smoke Less Harm” by the advocacy group Smoke Free Sweden attributes this achievement to Sweden’s openness to alternative nicotine products, such as snus.

    The report points out that smoking-related diseases are caused primarily by the byproducts of tobacco combustion rather than nicotine, as many mistakenly assume.

    The Swedish experience demonstrates the importance of understanding public misperceptions about nicotine to develop health policies that better protect and inform consumers.

    Karl Fagerström, co-author, ‘No Smoke Less Harm’

    While nearly one in four Swedish adults still use nicotine daily, in line with European averages, Sweden boasts far lower rates of tobacco-related deaths (44 percent), cancer rates (41 percent) and cancer deaths (38 percent) than the rest of the European Union.

    Smoke Free Sweden’s report appeals for the World Health Organization and global public health communities to acknowledge that combustible products, not nicotine, cause harm to smokers.

    “While nicotine is addictive, it does not cause the serious diseases associated with smoking,” Fagerström said. “Our findings support a shift in focus from cessation to substitution with less harmful alternatives for those unable to quit completely.”

  • Snus Documentary to Screen in Spain

    Snus Documentary to Screen in Spain

    Image: fergregory

    Somos Innovacion announced the avant-premiere of the documentary How Sweden Stopped Smoking by award-winning Polish director Tomasz Agencki. The screening will take place on Feb. 27 at Espacio Balboa in Madrid and will include a panel discussion with leading experts in health and activism.

    This documentary delves into the story of how Sweden became a smoke-free nation. Through interviews with scientists, doctors, innovators and artists, Agencki spins a tale that examines the complex interplay of science, politics, history and personal will behind this “Swedish miracle.”

    “We are excited to share this inspiring story about the courage and creativity that made a healthier future possible for Swedes,” says Federico N. Fernandez, CEO of Somos Innovacion, in a statement. “We believe the lessons from Sweden’s journey can guide other nations to achieve the same progress.”

    Following the screening, a panel of experts composed of Fernando Fernandez Bueno, oncologic surgeon and prominent anti-smoking opinion leader; Josep Maria Ramon Torrell, head of the Tobacco Treatment Unit at Bellvitge Hospital and professor of medicine; Julio Ruades, popular YouTuber and spokesperson for the Spanish Association of Personal Vaporizer Users; Federico N. Fernandez, CEO of Somos Innovacion; and moderated by Carmen Escrig, coordinator of the Spanish Medical Platform for Tobacco Harm Reduction will share unique perspectives and discuss key lessons that inspire other nations to follow Sweden’s example in the fight against smoking.

    Space is limited. Reserve free tickets on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/SueciaLibreDeHumo. This avant-premiere is in-person only; it will not be streamed.

  • Stockholm to Show ‘How Sweden Quit Smoking’

    Stockholm to Show ‘How Sweden Quit Smoking’

    Image: stokkete

    The We Are Innovation team announced the upcoming avant-premiere of the documentary How Sweden Quit Smoking. Directed by Tomasz Agencki, the film delves into Sweden’s journey toward becoming a smoke-free nation.

    “This film deserves recognition to the unsung heroes—the unrecognized innovators who act to make our world healthier,” said Agencki in a statement. “Sweden’s remarkable smoke-free transformation was driven by cooperative creativity, personal initiative and a shared spirit of progress. I hope this film will inspire viewers to create positive change in their communities.”

    “We are incredibly thrilled to bring this important documentary to a wide audience,” added We Are Innovation’s CEO, Federico N. Fernandez. “Sweden’s smoke-free journey beautifully embodies innovation that solves problems and benefits society. By providing smokers with safer alternatives, their model is making smoking obsolete and freeing human potential previously hindered by tobacco-related disease and death. We hope the Swedish experience catalyzes similar lifesaving solutions worldwide.”

    The screening will take place on Feb. 13, 2024, at the GT30 space at Grev Turegatan 30 in Stockholm. The event is in-person only. It will begin with a reception followed by the screening and an expert panel dialogue.

    The official registration page can be found at https://bit.ly/SweQuitSmoking. Early reservations are highly recommended as seating is limited.

  • Screening ‘Snus Movie’ Opens Dialogue

    Screening ‘Snus Movie’ Opens Dialogue

    Image: Mr. Music

    On Nov. 15, 2023, We Are Innovation hosted the avant-premiere of the documentary How Sweden Quit Smoking at the Royal Society of Arts House in London. In addition to the screening of the documentary, attendees had the opportunity to enjoy an expert panel dialogue, dinner and networking with public health experts, advocates, activists and think-tankers from all over the world.

    Directed by the Polish filmmaker Tomasz Agencki, How Sweden Quit Smoking delves deep into Sweden’s journey toward becoming a smoke-free country. The documentary shines a light on the personal determination, innovation and human creativity that propelled the Swedish people to achieve a milestone unmatched in contemporary times. This film combines the perspectives of scholars, medical doctors, innovators and activists, presenting a diverse range of voices that echo the expressions of artists. Through compelling storytelling, How Sweden Quit Smoking unveils the intricate interplay of science, politics, history and personal responsibility at the heart of this transformative journey.

    “We are incredibly thrilled to bring this important documentary to a wide audience,” said We Are Innovation’s CEO, Federico Fernandez, in a statement. “Sweden’s smoke-free journey beautifully embodies innovation that solves problems and benefits society. By providing smokers safer alternatives, their model is making smoking obsolete and freeing human potential previously hindered by tobacco-related disease and death. We hope the Swedish experience catalyzes similar lifesaving innovations worldwide.”

    Agencki said, “This film gives deserved recognition to the unsung heroes—the unrecognized innovators who take action to make our world healthier. Sweden’s remarkable smoke-free transformation was driven by cooperative creativity, personal initiative and a shared spirit of progress. My hope is that this film will inspire viewers to create positive change in their own communities.”

    More than 100 international stakeholders met at the Royal Society of Arts. One of the highlights of the evening was an engaging panel discussion featuring experts such as Suely Castro from Knowledge Action Change, Martin Cullip from the Taxpayers Protection Alliance Consumer Center and Delon Human from Health Diplomats. The conversation was moderated by Federico N. Fernandez.

  • Documentary Celebrates ‘Swedish Miracle’

    Documentary Celebrates ‘Swedish Miracle’

    We Are Innovation (WAI), an activist group, will pre-screen the documentary How Sweden Quit Smoking to a select audience on Nov. 15, 2023, at RSA House in London.

    Directed by award-winning Polish filmmaker Tomasz Agencki, the documentary explores how Sweden managed to reduce smoking to levels unrivaled in the European Union and elsewhere.

    According to its makers, How Sweden Quit Smoking highlights the determination, innovation and creativity that drove the Swedes toward a milestone unparalleled in contemporary times. The documentary features the perspectives of scholars, doctors, innovators and activists while demonstrating the interplay of science, politics, history and personal responsibility at the center of this journey.

    “We are incredibly thrilled to bring this important documentary to the broad audience,” said WAI CEO Federico Fernandez in a statement. “How Sweden Quit Smoking will inspire stakeholders, decision-makers, activists and the general public to pursue innovation and creativity toward a better future for all. This event is a must-attend for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in leveraging effective innovation methodologies to help transform the world’s most pressing problems.”

    “The goal of this documentary is to generate a positive impact on society,” said Agencki. “Through the journey of Sweden toward becoming a smoke-free nation, I hope to inspire people worldwide to embrace innovation, personal responsibility and to work toward a better society.”

    Registration is available through Eventbrite.

  • European Union Reviewing Snus

    European Union Reviewing Snus

    Photo: Marko Hannula

    The future of Sweden’s snus, a moist oral tobacco product banned in the EU since 1992, is currently under review as part of the EU’s evaluation of the tobacco directive, reports Euractiv.

    Originating in the 18th century, snus is a unique Swedish tobacco product and differs from newer alternatives like heated tobacco, e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches. Sweden secured an exemption for snus during its EU accession negotiations, limiting its sale to within the country.

    The EU aims to achieve a “Tobacco-free Generation” by 2040 as tobacco is a major health risk, responsible for 27 percent of all cancers in the EU. Sweden, expected to have smoking rates drop below 5 percent in 2023, is at the forefront of this effort.

    Patrik Strömer, Secretary-General of the Swedish Snus Manufacturers’ Association, believes that the EU’s ban on snus is due to a lack of knowledge about the product, and he highlights that it has proven beneficial in reducing smoking-related diseases in Sweden.

    Karl Fagerström, a tobacco and nicotine researcher, finds it odd that the U.S. has allowed snus in the market while the EU has banned it, despite using similar data. He points to WHO data showing that Swedish snus users have lower smoking-attributable deaths, especially regarding lung cancer.

    On the other hand, Italian MEP Alessandra Moretti argues that snus is associated with diseases like cardiovascular issues and cancers of the digestive system. Fagerström counters that snus usage in Sweden is not linked to oral cancer and should be avoided during pregnancy, similar to any nicotine use.

    The EU Court of Justice deems tobacco products for oral use harmful, addictive and potentially a gateway to tobacco use. Advocates for snus maintain that in Sweden, snus use doesn’t lead to subsequent smoking, supported by declining smoking rates among the young population.

  • WHO Urged to Follow Sweden’s Example

    WHO Urged to Follow Sweden’s Example

    Image: weyo

    The World Health Organization should look at Sweden for inspiration when deciding how to effectively reduce smoking-related deaths, according to the Institute for Tobacco Studies (ITS).

    In a paper published on Qeios, ITS’ principal investigator, Lars M. Ramstroem, says Sweden provides a prime example of how products that don’t burn tobacco can benefit public health. Sweden has the lowest smoking prevalence among men in the European Union and consequently the lowest tobacco-related mortality.

    The “WHO needs to apply all science-based strategies to reduce tobacco-related deaths,” Ramstroem said in a statement.

    “The meeting of the world’s health leaders in Panama in November, the COP10, represents a unique opportunity to take a fresh look at the most recent evidence with an open mind. After all, if Sweden had followed WHO’s advice from 20 years ago and banned snus, tobacco-related deaths in Sweden would have been much higher, and the only unintended beneficiary profiting from such advice would be the cigarette industry,” Ramstroem and his colleagues write in the paper.

    “[I]ncreasing number[s] of scientists and national governments believe that these new products represent an opportunity that can accelerate the demise of smoking. Because they don’t burn tobacco, they are estimated to be far less harmful than smoking. To the extent that they can act as a substitute and displace smoking, thereby improving public health.”

    Ramstroem said most “tobacco-related” deaths are in fact “smoking-related” deaths caused by repeated inhalation of smoke emitted when tobacco is lit on fire.

    “When burning is taken out of the equation, the harm can be dramatically reduced. We have known for decades that people smoke for nicotine but die from the tar,” the paper says.

    If Sweden had followed WHO’s advice from 20 years ago and banned snus, tobacco-related deaths in Sweden would have been much higher.

    Lars M. Ramstroem, principal investigator, ITS

    In addition to citing the experience of Sweden, the paper urges policymakers to study the examples of Norway, Japan or New Zealand. “Norway is now following a similar trajectory as Sweden, with daily smoking being at record-low levels and virtually on the brink of extinction among some population groups, largely due to snus,” the paper’s authors wrote.

    In Japan, a large number of smokers have switched to heated-tobacco products, contributing to a decline in smoking from around 20 percent in 2014 to 13 percent in 2019, while in New Zealand, vaping helped reduce daily smoking to 8 percent and contributed to rapid fall in smoking rates even among Pacific and Maori populations where traditional interventions have been failing.

    The paper also calls on the delegates to the COP10 to look at the real-world scientific evidence in making decisions during the meeting.

    “When it comes to smoking, the WHO doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel: Just follow the science (and Sweden) this time, for the sake of 1 billion smokers who aren’t lucky enough to live in Sweden,” the paper says.

  • Sweden to Slash Snus Tax

    Sweden to Slash Snus Tax

    Photo: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The Swedish government intends to reduce the tax on snus by 20 percent and increase the tax on combustible tobacco products by 9 percent.

    In a note on its website, the government said the move would lower the price of a snus can by approximately SEK3 and reduce the price of a cigarette pack by about SEK4.

    Parliament had previously decided to increase tobacco taxes in 2023 and 2024. However, recent inflation has been higher than the forecasts upon which the increases were based.

    Sweden already taxes smokeless tobacco at lower rates than smoked tobacco because it believes combustible products present a greater health risk.

    The changes are expected to take effect on Nov. 1, 2024.

    Tobacco harm reduction advocates applauded the decision. “Sweden’s new taxation policy is an exemplary move in fast-tracking the country even further towards its smoke-free target,” said Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, in a statement.

    “By making less harmful alternatives like snus more accessible through tax reductions, Sweden is not just theorizing harm reduction; it’s effectively implementing it. It’s time for the EU to take a leaf out of Sweden’s book.”