Sweden has shown EU the way to become smoke-free, international experts tell MEPs
STOCKHOLM, 28 November – Leading global health experts have sent a powerful letter to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), urging them to adopt a more pragmatic, evidence-based approach to tobacco control in the European Union.
The experts cite the remarkable success of Sweden in reducing smoking rates as a model for policy reform, and they call for greater support for tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies across Europe.
The letter, signed by Dr. Delon Human (France), Professor Karl Fagerström (Sweden), Professor Heino Stöver (Germany), Dr. Jacques le Houezec (France) and Professor Andrzej Sobczak (Poland), highlights Sweden’s extraordinary achievement in reducing smoking rates to the lowest in Europe – just 4.5% for Swedish-born adults over 16, and 5.3% for all residents, compared to an EU-wide average of 24%.
The experts argue that Sweden’s success can be attributed to three key factors:
– Accessibility – A wide range of smoke-free nicotine alternatives such as oral nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes and snus.
– Acceptability – Public education campaigns that empower consumers to make healthier choices.
– Affordability – Proportional taxation that makes smoke-free products more affordable than cigarettes.
“The evidence is clear – Sweden’s harm reduction policies have been transformative,” said letter signatory Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden. “Swedes are quitting smoking at unprecedented rates, and even Swedish residents from higher-smoking countries are making the switch to safer alternatives. This demonstrates the power of evidence-based policies to improve public health.”
The experts also highlight that, according to the EU’s own data, smoking rates across the continent have seen only modest declines in recent years, with current tobacco control strategies unlikely to achieve the EU’s goal of a smoke-free Europe by 2040. As the EU revisits the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), the experts urge lawmakers to consider Sweden’s approach, which focuses on harm reduction rather than prohibition.
The letter stresses that Sweden’s success offers a proof of concept that could be replicated in the EU. The signatories propose key policy reforms, including:
– Expanding the availability of smoke-free nicotine alternatives in appropriate strengths and flavours.
– Ensuring accurate risk communication to help smokers make informed choices.
– Implementing risk-proportionate taxation to incentivise the switch from cigarettes to less harmful alternatives.
The letter emphasises the importance of integrating harm reduction into European tobacco control strategies in line with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 1(d), which supports tobacco harm reduction as a legitimate approach to reducing smoking-related harm.
“Sweden’s achievement demonstrates that a balanced and pragmatic approach to tobacco control can yield remarkable public health outcomes,” the letter concludes. “The EU has an opportunity to lead globally by adopting similar evidence-based strategies. We hope Sweden’s experience serves as an inspiration for policy reforms that benefit all Europeans.”
About the signatories:
Dr. Delon Human – Family physician, global health advocate and former Secretary-General of the World Medical Association.
Prof. Karl Fagerström – Renowned psychologist and tobacco addiction expert from Sweden, recognised for his work in nicotine replacement therapy.
Prof. Heino Stöver – Social scientist and expert in addiction research from Germany.
Dr. Jacques le Houezec – Public health consultant specialising in smoking cessation and nicotine research in France.
Prof. Andrzej Sobczak – Expert in toxicology and tobacco control, based in Poland.
ENDS
About Smoke Free Sweden
Smoke Free Sweden is a campaign which encourages other countries to follow the Swedish model when it comes to Tobacco Harm Reduction. Sweden’s smoke free success can be attributed to its 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.
Contact
Smoke Free Sweden
info@smokefreesweden.org