A giant inflatable cigarette outside the town hall. Vikings with snuff boxes in their hands. The World Vapers Alliance is coming to Stockholm to celebrate Sweden's victory against smoking
"Snus, e-cigs and nicotine pouches have led to you having the lowest smoking rate in the EU. You are considered almost smoke-free by the WHO and Sweden should be a model for other countries." says Michael Landl, World Vapers Alliance.
Sweden, and the low proportion of smokers in the country, is attracting a lot of attention internationally right now. Not least among organizations working on harm reduction. The World Vapers Alliance is now planning a demonstration in Stockholm to celebrate what it calls "the Swedish model"
"The availability of snus, nicotine pouches and consumer-friendly regulation of e-cigarettes and other alternatives to cigarettes has proven to be very effective in reducing smoking" says Michael Landl, Director General of the World Vapers Alliance
Lowest smoking rate in the EU
Compared to other EU countries, Sweden has a very low smoking rate. The approximately 500 000 smokers in Sweden represent less than 6% of the population. A very low figure compared to other EU countries.
"The EU average is closer to 20%. Sweden is almost smoke-free, according to both the EU and the WHO's way of measuring. Way ahead of all other countries that have the same goal," Michael Land told Vejpkollen.
Snus and harm reduction
Michael Landl and the WVA see this development as a result of Swedish tobacco policy. Many Swedes still use nicotine, to the same extent as in other EU countries. The difference is the availability of alternatives.
"Sweden is the only country in the EU that allows the sale of snus, while the regulation of nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes allows for a relatively stable market" says Michael Landl.
Well-informed users
But he also points to consumers as important in this context. Users drive development.
"Swedes have access to e-cigarettes, snus and nicotine pouches, but the fact that so many Swedes are opting out of cigarettes is impressive from an international perspective. It is of course a combination of responsible policies, well-informed consumers and good products"
Manifestation in Stockholm
On Wednesday, WVA will organize a demonstration at Mynttorget, a few meters from the Swedish Parliament. With the help of a giant inflatable cigarette, they want to illustrate the Swedish wonder. In the past, the WVA has attracted attention through its actions - not least when the organization invited politicians to disgusting ice cream in the Netherlands - as a protest against the then looming taste ban.
"We wanted to do something different in Sweden. How have Swedes defeated smoking? I can tell you that there will be Vikings with snuff boxes and e-cigs on site"
Conversations with entrepreneurs
Earlier in the day, a discussion was held between consumer organizations and harm reduction entrepreneurs, who were asked to give their views on developments in Sweden. In addition to several vejp entrepreneurs, Bengt Wiberg, who is currently launching Sting free, a snus variant that does not stick under the lip, will also be present.
"It's great that snus is getting international attention. In the past, tobacco harm reduction activists and organizations have mostly talked about e-cigarettes. Nowadays, both snus and nicotine pouches have emerged as two more options for smokers worldwide" says Bengt Wiberg to Vejpkollen.
During the call, Vejpkollen Editor-in-Chief Stefan Mathisson will lead a discussion on disposable weapons and how companies in the industry are dealing with everything from youth vejping to the growing illegal trade. This will take place at 13:00 on Wednesday, May 3. The demonstration at Mynttorget takes place at 18:00
