One percent, 100,000, use e-cigarettes regularly. At the same time, almost 12% of Swedes who have not completed upper secondary education smoke. This is according to CAN's updated report on tobacco and nicotine use in Sweden 2021.
One percent of the Swedish population has used an e-cigarette in the last thirty days. One third of these, just under half a percent, are daily users. Most vejp users are in the 17 to 29 age group. There, 5% had used e-cigarettes at some point, but in most cases sporadically. 84% of these reported using e-cigarettes with nicotine.
One percent of users stated that they were non-smokers before using an e-cigarette.
"Smokers of traditional cigarettes are more likely to have used e-cigarettes in the past thirty days than non-smokers." CAN states in its report.
"Positive with sporadic vejpande"
According to a government report from SBU, there is no scientific evidence link between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation in Sweden. At the same time, studies from United States and United Kingdom that smokers who also vejpar make more successful quit attempts. According to major international reports from Cochrane Reviews e-cigarettes are likely to be more effective than other nicotine medicines. Karl Åke Johansson, chairman of the user association NNA Sweden (formerly Svenska Vejpare) therefore believes that the sporadic use should be seen as positive.
"It's great that many people are also using e-cigarettes as a temporary replacement for cigarettes. Every cigarette you don't take is actually positive for public health. Our vision is that as many people as possible will eventually give up cigarettes for a less harmful alternative. So even so-called 'dual use' is great." says Karl Åke Johansson.
Less educated people smoke more
Today, between 5% and 7% of the Swedish population smokes. However, there are large differences between population groups - particularly in terms of gender and education level.
Only 4% of men and women with a post-secondary education (i.e. university or equivalent) smoke. Among people with only pre-secondary education (i.e. only secondary school), the levels are 12% for women and 10% for men. The corresponding figures for those with upper secondary education are 10% for women and 8% for men.
More smokers among foreign-born
CAN's report also shows clear differences in smoking habits depending on origin and background. Among people with a foreign background (born outside Sweden or with at least one parent born outside Sweden), 13% of men and 9% of women smoke.
20 percent smoke occasionally
Sporadic smoking was significantly higher across the population. Over 14% of men (13% of women) aged 17-29 reported smoking sporadically, i.e. at some point in the last 30 days. Overall, this means that almost 20% of the population either smokes daily or occasionally.
Many men use snus
The statistics for daily snus use show that 26% of men and 8% of women use snus. The corresponding figures for people with a foreign background are 19% of men and 4% of women.
"No longer smoking for social reasons"
Karl Åke Johansson believes that smoking and nicotine use are more and more about conscious choices. At least compared to 20 years ago.
"Those who start smoking today probably don't do it for social reasons, not peer pressure or to join in the chatter in smoking rooms and smoking areas. If you go out to smoke, you often stand alone. Those who take up nicotine do so DESPITE social discomfort. They probably do it because the nicotine gives them an advantage, perhaps to get through the day." says Karl Åke Johansson
"Nicotine is a class issue"
The figures also suggest that smoking should be considered a class issue and reflected in social mechanisms in society, says Karl Åke Johansson.
"Smoking is a class issue in many ways. Nicotine has some effect in alleviating symptoms, for example in the case of ADHD, various degrees of autism and Parkinson's. It can be speculated that the higher your academic degree, the easier it is for you or your child to receive adequate care for neurological impairments. It is important to know how the system works and what the possibilities to seek care look like; parents who are highly educated can more easily assert their or their child's right to treatment, simply put," says Karl Åke Johansson.
Nicotine as self-medication
He argues that higher nicotine use among certain population groups can be partly explained by so-called "self-medication". Studies from the UK show that people with mental health problems smoke significantly more than others.
"If you have a lower level of education and may not know what care options you have. Then it is perhaps more likely that you will find other methods to deal with your difficulties. You may discover that it is 'possible' to self-medicate with nicotine for ADHD, Parkinson's and so on. I would like to see more research on this." says Karl Åke Johansson.
