5% خالية من التدخين: قصة نجاح السويد وانخفاض معدل الإصابة بالسرطان فيها 41%

Sweden has officially become “smoke-free” as of November 13th.

Health data released by Sweden’s public health agency shows that the smoking rate among adults born in the country is a mere 4.5%, falling below the globally recognized benchmark of 5% for a smoke-free status.

موكي فيب Tech notes that the average smoking rate in Europe is 24%, which is five times higher than in Sweden.

According to tobacco harm reduction activists, Sweden’s success is the result of their pioneering policy approach, aimed at providing safer alternatives to cigarettes.

“This outstanding achievement marks a significant moment in global public health, proving the progressive policies that have guided Sweden’s tobacco control methods,” said Delon Human, head of the Swedish Smoke-Free Organization, 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 e-cigarettes, Sweden has paved a clear path towards a smoke-free society while protecting public health.

“They should serve as a beacon of hope for the rest of the world and stand as an inspiring testament that pragmatic, enlightened approaches can yield significant public health benefits and save lives.”

New statistical data reveals that 5.3% of adults in Sweden, including immigrants, currently smoke. Notably, the data also shows that individuals not born in Sweden are three times more likely to smoke if they have not moved to Sweden.

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

“A variety of safer nicotine products, with different strengths and flavors, are legally available online and in stores, supported by advertising, which has raised awareness and encouraged acceptance.

The Swedish government has also implemented a proportional consumption tax, making smoke-free products more affordable than cigarettes. This tax policy, coupled with public education campaigns, has enabled Swedish consumers to make healthier choices and has helped the country take a leading role in reducing tobacco harm.

Thanks to its strategy, Sweden has the lowest proportion of tobacco-related diseases in the EU, with a cancer incidence rate 41% lower than other European countries.

“While Sweden celebrates this historic achievement, most other countries have yet to reach their smoke-free goals,” Human said. “Their strict prohibitionist policies limit access to safer nicotine alternatives, including oral nicotine products and e-cigarettes. These regressive measures are keeping smokers away from potentially life-saving tools and hindering progress in reducing tobacco harm.”