Sweden Builds on Successful Approach to Tobacco Control

1 November 2024 is the proposed effective date for Sweden’s reduced tax on alternative nicotine products. The 20% decrease in excise tax on snus and 9% increase in taxes on traditional cigarettes was confirmed in April 2024 to widespread commendation by international harm reduction experts.

According to the official government announcement, the planned tax changes appreciate that snus poses a vastly lower health risk than cigarettes.

“Anything we can do to reduce and avoid smoking is good,” said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in 2023.

Sweden is about to become a smoke-free country, with a smoking rate of just over 5%. It boasts tobacco-related deaths 44% lower, a lung cancer rate 41% lower, and deaths attributable to any cancer 38% lower than the rest of the European Union.

Sweden’s successful reduction in smoking rates can be ascribed to both the acceptance of safer alternatives (such as snus, modern nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes) and the fact that they have been made accessible and affordable to smokers.

“We are delighted to see the Swedish government implementing a sensible and pragmatic approach to tobacco harm reduction,” said Dr Delon Human, former Health Advisor to three World Health Organisation (WHO) Directors-General and Head of Smoke Free Sweden.

“This move to reduce the tax on snus is yet another example of how Sweden is leading the way when it comes to combating the deadly toll of cigarettes,” he emphasises.

Smoke Free Sweden

Smoke Free Sweden is a movement that encourages other countries to follow the Swedish experience when it comes to tobacco harm reduction. Sweden is about to become the first ‘smoke-free’ European country, with a smoking rate of below 5%. This remarkable achievement can be attributed to Sweden’s open attitude towards alternative products.

For more information on Sweden’s successful approach to becoming a smoke free nation, please visit www.smokefreesweden.org.