Media: Diario AS – Experts ask Spain to revise anti-smoking plan, warn of potential public health crisis: “The Swedish model is 200% more effective”
Spain’s Ministry of Health continues to advance its anti-smoking agenda, with the department led by Mónica García proposing a ban on nicotine pouches containing more than 0.99 mg of nicotine per unit. In practice, this threshold would effectively prohibit the vast majority of products currently on the market, as most exceed this limit.
The measure has drawn criticism from public health experts, who are calling for revisions to the draft decree. A recent study from Smoke Free Sweden highlights the effectiveness of nicotine pouches as a harm-reduction tool, particularly among those trying to quit smoking. “Our model is 200% more effective for women,” the researchers claim.
In presenting their findings, Smoke Free Sweden emphasises that nicotine pouches are smokeless, odourless, and enjoy high levels of social acceptance due to their discreet use. Notably, Sweden’s smoking rate has dropped to 5.3% – the lowest in Europe – compared to the EU average of 24%.
Further data shows a 49% reduction in smoking among Swedish women and a 61% lower lung cancer mortality rate compared to the EU average.
“Sweden’s approach has saved thousands of lives and drastically reduced tobacco-related deaths,” said Dr. Delon Human of Smoke Free Sweden. “We cannot stand by while other EU countries, such as Spain, implement unscientific regulations that risk pushing consumers back to cigarettes,” he warned, pointing to the potential for a wider public health crisis.