Smoking in Sweden is at record low levels. At the same time, the proportion of people using smokeless nicotine products is increasing. This is according to new statistics from the Public Health Agency of Sweden on Swedes' lifestyles. According to the agency, the decrease is due to bans and restrictions, but according to the doctor Andels Milton, chairman of the Snus Commission, this is a truth with modification.
"The key to Sweden's success is our pragmatic focus on harm reduction rather than bans and restrictions," says Mr Milton.
The proportion of smokers in Sweden has continued to fall and is now down to record low levels, according to statistics from the Public Health Agency of Sweden. In total, 5.3% of the population now smoke, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points. As before, the lowest proportion of smokers is among Swedish-born men, 3.8 per cent, and the highest is among men born in non-European countries, at 11 per cent.
"Among men and women with Swedish parents, the rate is now well below 5%, which is the target for global and European efforts to reduce smoking. It is clear that the Swedish model, where different smokeless nicotine products have been allowed to compete with cigars, plays an important role," says Dr Anders Milton, chairman of the Snus Commission, which aims to promote the transition from smoking to smokeless nicotine use.
Smoke-free nicotine increases
While smoking has steadily declined, the use of smokeless products has increased in the country over the same period. Total daily nicotine use in 2024 is close to 21 per cent, an increase of 2 per cent since 2022. The corresponding increase is seen in the use of snus, which has risen from 14 to 16 per cent compared to 2022. Swedish men use snus the most, increasing from 20.2 per cent in 2022 to 21.6 per cent in 2024. The proportion of women who use snus is increasing at a much faster rate, from 7.2 to 9.2 per cent over the same period. Previous studies have shown that the use of so-called 'white snus' - nicotine pouches - accounts for the largest increase.
Points to successful regulation
According to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, which is behind the statistics, the decreasing proportion of smokers is linked to continuous measures to influence the behaviour of Swedes.
"The work has been long-term and in collaboration between several actors internationally, nationally, regionally and locally. Examples of tobacco prevention measures that have been implemented include bans on tobacco advertising, tax regulation, age limits, and the introduction of smoke-free environments, both indoors and in certain outdoor locations." the Agency recently wrote in a report on the fight against smoking in Swedene.
Being criticised by doctors
At the same time, the Agency annually funds independent organisations to carry out work to counteracting the increasing smokeless nicotine use in the country. However, the agency's statistics do not show any direct effects of this. According to Anders Milton and the Snus Commission, the figures rather indicate that the work towards smoke-free nicotine use is counteracting the goal of reducing smoking in Sweden. Something that is clearly visible in the statistics.
"The key to Sweden's success is our pragmatic focus on harm reduction rather than bans and restrictions. A wide range of safer nicotine products, in different strengths and flavours, are legally available both online and in stores. In addition, advertising these products has raised awareness and encouraged the switch from cigarettes." he said in a press release.
Smoking more common in some groups
As Vejpkollen previously reported, there are large differences between different groups in society in terms of smoking and smokeless nicotine use. This is a trend that is also seen in other countries, where the proportion of smokers in socially disadvantaged groups is significantly higher than in groups with higher income and education levels. In Sweden, for example, people born in non-European countries are more than twice as likely to smoke as people born in Sweden. Among men of non-European descent, statistics from the Public Health Agency of Sweden show that 12 per cent use snus daily, while 11 per cent smoke. The corresponding figures for men born in Sweden are 20 per cent and 4 per cent respectively.
Among women, the relationship between European descent and Swedish descent stands out the most. 9.9 per cent in this group smoke compared to 5.5 per cent among Swedish-born women. However, Swedish-born women snuff significantly more, 11 per cent compared to 3.4 per cent among foreign-born women.
New tobacco policy target
Recently, the Swedish government decided that harm reduction should be part of a new tobacco policy objective. According to a new proposal in the Riksdag, the aim in future will be to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine use in Sweden. The previous goal, which is still favoured by the Public Health Agency of Sweden, is that all forms of nicotine use, including snus and vejping, should be discouraged in the same way as smoking. By 15 November at the latest, the Agency will notify the Government of how it intends to implement the new objective.
