Ignoring tobacco harm reduction is a death sentence for millions, global experts tell UN

New York, 25 September 2024 — International health experts today warned that governments of the world are condemning millions to die if they continue to ignore the irrefutable benefits of tobacco harm reduction (THR) policies.

In an open letter to delegates at the United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Delon Human of Smoke Free Sweden, along with other leading THR specialists, calls for THR to be incorporated into standard tobacco control measures worldwide. By doing so, millions of lives could be saved from smoking-related diseases, they say.

The experts’ letter points to real-world evidence, particularly from Sweden, which proves the success of THR policies. Through the promotion of safer alternatives like snus, nicotine pouches and vapes, Sweden has reduced its smoking rates by 55% over the past decade, resulting in a staggering 44% fewer tobacco-related deaths compared to the rest of the European Union.

“Sweden’s achievement underscores the effectiveness of harm reduction policies in not only saving lives but also reducing the strain on healthcare systems,” Dr Human says. “Their success serves as a blueprint for other nations.”

The letter also highlights New Zealand’s progress, where the Ministry of Health endorsed vaping as a cessation tool in 2019. Since then, New Zealand’s smoking rates have nearly halved, positioning the country as another example of how THR can drive down smoking-related deaths and diseases.

While countries like Sweden and New Zealand lead the way, many other nations continue to struggle with high smoking rates while rejecting harm reduction. Countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa could witness similarly dramatic reductions in smoking-related mortality by adopting THR policies. A recent study cited in the letter estimates that Czechia alone could save 280,000 lives over the next four decades if it adopts THR strategies. Further studies report similar potential benefits in other nations including Brazil, Bangladesh, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

“This is not about promoting nicotine use,” Dr Human says. “It’s about offering safer choices to individuals who would otherwise continue smoking harmful cigarettes. We are on the cusp of a public health revolution, and THR has the potential to be a game-changer in saving millions of lives.”

The letter, which is also signed by Dr Derek Yach and Prof Marewa Glover, calls on global leaders and the United Nations to prioritise THR as a crucial element of tobacco control, urging governments to act swiftly and decisively. “The evidence is clear,” the letter concludes. “The time to act is now.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Contact

Smoke Free Sweden

Jessica Perkins

info@smokefreesweden.org

www.smokefreesweden.org

About 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 below 5 percent. This remarkable achievement can be attributed to Sweden’s open attitude towards alternative nicotine products.

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