The Effect of Smoke-free Products Being Accessible

Although global health’s goal is a smoke-free world by 2040, Sweden is the only country about to achieve an adult smoking prevalence of 5% (or less) to classify as smoke free.

In the 18 years since the World Health Organisation (WHO) established its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), global tobacco demand has declined too slowly and not at all in some low- and middle-income countries. 1.3 billion people worldwide still use tobacco and, annually, 8 million deaths are due to tobacco-related causes and 200 million life years are lost.

Saving Lives Like Sweden reports on Sweden’s tobacco control and harm reduction strategies, comparing them to the tobacco control performance of the European Union (EU) and several other countries.

Sweden’s total deaths, disability-adjusted life years averted, and life years saved are examined through facts, analyses and calculations in the report. Regrettably, outdated WHO data on tobacco-attributable deaths necessitated assumptions regarding estimated health metrics in Sweden and comparisons with other countries.

The tobacco control objective of smoke free is examined along with current methods used to achieve this goal. Saving Lives Like Sweden also analyses current simulation modelling frameworks and their application to various countries. 

The report uses a recent Swedish consumer perception study to emphasise the whole-of-society approach to making smoke-free products accessible, acceptable and affordable. Understanding consumer behaviour is crucial to successfully addressing the challenge of the tobacco epidemic.

It is undeniable that Sweden’s success in reducing smoking rates is apparent in its smoking prevalence of 5.6%, which is nearly five times lower than the EU average of 23%. By studying and replicating Sweden’s tobacco control and harm reduction strategies, we can change the future for countless smokers and save millions of lives.

For more information on Sweden’s smoke-free success story, see also The Swedish Experience, a Roadmap to a Smoke free World.