News & Articles

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…

New cancer statistics highlight need for tobacco harm reduction strategies

STOCKHOLM, 26 November – New figures showing there will be almost 300,000 new cancer cases in the UK by 2029 underscore the urgent need for more tobacco harm reduction (THR)…

Tobacco harm reduction strategy ‘will save 416,000 Nigerian lives’

STOCKHOLM, 22 November 2024 – More than 400,000 Nigerian lives could be saved if policymakers adopt a progressive approach to tobacco harm reduction (THR), according to landmark research by leading…

Tobacco harm reduction strategy ‘will save lives of 184,000 Kenyans’

Almost 200,000 Kenyan lives will be saved if policymakers adopt a more progressive approach to alternative nicotine products, according to ground-breaking new research by leading international health experts. A landmark…

BREAKING NEWS: Swedes first in world to become smoke free – it’s a lesson for the world

STOCKHOLM, 13 November 2024 – SENSATIONAL government figures released today show that Swedes have made history by becoming officially ‘smoke free’. Swedes have hit this remarkable milestone 16 years ahead…

EU’s outdated tobacco strategy is failing and costing lives

STOCKHOLM, 4 November 2024 – New analysis of data from the Europe Union’s leading research body reveals how the EU’s outdated tobacco control strategy is losing the war against smoking. …

Nicotine pouch ban will drive up France’s ‘deplorable’ smoking rate

STOCKHOLM, Friday 1st November– A ban on nicotine pouches in France will drive up the country’s deplorable smoking rates and put millions more lives at risk, according to international health…

Spain’s vape tax hike is dangerously misguided, say international health experts

31 October – Plans to impose excessive taxes on e-cigarettes in Spain could condemn thousands of Spanish smokers to a premature death, according to international health experts. Under new proposals,…

UK’s vape tax hike plan is misstep in fight against smoking

STOCKHOLM, 21 October – A plan to hike the tax on vapes in the UK risks undermining the country’s efforts to reduce smoking rates and would increase tobacco-related death and…

Going smoke free like Sweden will add years to your life, Lancet reveals

Stockholm, 8 October – New research from The Lancet reveals that going smoke free like Sweden would increase life expectancy around the world and prevent millions of premature deaths by…

Danish Pouch Restrictions Will Drive 150,000 Back to Smoking

STOCKHOLM, 7 October – Proposed restrictions on flavours, nicotine content and increased taxation of oral nicotine pouches, may lead to a de facto ban on nine out 10 nicotine pouches…

Ireland’s vape tax puts smokers’ lives at risk

STOCKHOLM, 4 October 2024 – Ireland’s new tax on e-cigarettes is a setback in the fight against tobacco, condemning thousands of smokers to unnecessary premature death, according to international health…

[Media]: Okdiario highlights Smoke Free Sweden

Leading Spanish publication Okdiario has cited Smoke Free Sweden’s No Smoke, Less Harm report, highlighting the impact that Sweden’s progressive approach to Tobacco Harm Reduction has had on bringing down smoking rates.…

BRAZIL’S PLAN TO LIFT VAPE BAN WILL SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES

STOCKHOLM, 3 October 2024 – Brazil is “on the cusp of a public health miracle” as it prepares to legalise vapes in the ongoing war against smoking, according to international…

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…

Letter to UN General Assembly Delegates

Dear Sir/Madam, We stand at a critical juncture for global public health. While smoking-related illnesses continue to kill more than 8 million people annually, we now have the proven capability…

Tobacco Harm Reduction policies could save 280,000 lives in Czechia, according to new report

23 September, Prague – Improved Tobacco Harm Reduction measures, including better access to nicotine alternatives such as e-cigarettes, could save up to 280,000 lives in Czechia, according to a major…

NEW ZEALAND SHOWS THE WORLD HOW VAPES HELPED CUT ITS SMOKING RATE IN HALF

NEW YORK, Monday 23 September – LEADING international health expert Dr Marewa Glover today warned governments that millions of lives will be unnecessarily lost if policymakers fail to embrace the…

SWEDEN ‘WAY AHEAD’ AS EC SETS SMOKE-FREE 2040 GOAL

STOCKHOLM, Friday 20 September – LEADING international health experts today backed the European Commission’s call for a tobacco-free generation by 2040 while pointing out that Sweden has already cultivated multiple smoke-free…

CANADA’S NICOTINE POUCH BAN IS ‘DEADLY ERROR DEFYING SCIENCE’, SAY HEALTH EXPERTS

STOCKHOLM, 2 September – INTERNATIONAL health experts have criticised Canada’s new laws restricting the sale of nicotine pouches as a “deadly error” and “a backward step” in the global fight…

Tobacco harm Reduction policies would save 416,000 Malaysian lives, says new report

27 August, Stockholm – ADOPTION of tobacco harm reduction (THR) measures, including greater access to nicotine alternatives such as e-cigarettes, would help to save 416,000 lives in Malaysia, according to…

Tobacco harm reduction policies would save 464,000 lives in Uzbekistan, says new report

27 August, Stockholm – ADOPTION of tobacco harm reduction (THR) measures, including greater access to nicotine alternatives such as e-cigarettes, would help tosave 464,000 lives in Uzbekistan, according to major…

Swedish anti-smoking strategies offers solution for languishing EU smoking rates

20 August, Stockholm, Sweden – SMOKING rates across the EU have stagnated because of a lack of availability of smoke free nicotine alternatives, say international health experts, backed by new…

SOUTH AFRICA CAN SOLVE ITS SMOKING PROBLEM BY HEEDING NEW ZEALAND’S VAPE SUCCESS STORY

15 July 2024, Cape Town: Smoking is on the increase in South Africa due to misinformation and hostility towards vapes,  while other nations are using these safer alternatives to win…

AUSTRALIA’S STRICT VAPING LAWS FUEL BLACK MARKET, STALL SMOKING DECLINE, REPORT REVEALS

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – July 11, 2024 – A new report from Smoke Free Sweden, a public health nonprofit, highlights the unintended consequences of Australia’s restrictive vaping policies. The report, “Quitting…

Malaysia’s Smoking Rates Stagnate as New Zealand Halves Smoking Through Vaping

8 July 2024, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — New Zealand’s approach to smoke free nicotine alternatives has halved smoking rates in just five years while Malaysia continues to have 5 million…

NEW ZEALAND HALVES SMOKING RATES WHILE INDONESIA STRUGGLES

04 July 2024, Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesia’s progress on smoking rates has stagnated due to hostility, misinformation about vaping and high taxes, according to Smoke Free Sweden, while nations who have…

Media: Altinget – Time to smoke out nicotine’s bad reputation

Op-ed from Professor Karl Fagerström. [Read the full article here] Sweden’s experience of using alternative nicotine products to reduce smoking has shown an eye-opening paradox: despite similar levels of nicotine…

New Zealand halves smoking rate as smokers seek less harmful alternatives

12 June 2024, Warsaw, Poland – New Zealand’s smoking rate has halved in just five years due to the widespread acceptance and use of smoke free nicotine products, according to…

Urgent call for EU policymakers ahead of EU elections: replicate Smoke Free Sweden

6 June 2024, Stockholm, Sweden – On the eve of this year’s European elections, international health experts are rallying behind a call to action for MEP candidates and policymakers: incorporate…

WHO fails to recognise lifesaving qualities of smoke-free nicotine alternatives – Smoke Free Sweden

31 May 2024, Stockholm, Sweden –  Leading global health experts have urged the WHO to use World No Tobacco Day to recognise the life saving potential of smoke-free nicotine alternatives.  …

Media: Manila Standard: Sweden’s transition to smokeless products saves lives

[Read the article here] Sweden’s transition to smokeless tobacco products has brought down its smoking rate to the lowest in Europe, leading to a dramatic decline in tobacco-related deaths and…

Landmark report proves that high nicotine use does not lead to high rates of health issues

STOCKHOLM, 7 May 2024 – A new report released today in Stockholm by international health experts, “No Smoke, Less Harm” presents compelling evidence that despite similar levels of nicotine consumption,…

Smoke Free Sweden welcomes Moderate Party’s pledge to protect nicotine pouches

3 May 2024, Stockholm, Sweden – International harm reduction experts have commended a new pledge from Sweden’s Moderate Party to protect nicotine pouches ahead of the upcoming EU elections.  As…

International health experts urge Spain to adopt Swedish anti-smoking strategies

Stockholm, 25 April – In a new public consultation submission, international health experts are calling on the Spanish government to emulate Sweden’s successful tobacco control strategies.  As part of the…

International health experts condemn Canadian e-cigarette tax hike

22 April, Stockholm – International health experts have criticised the Canadian Ministry of Finance’s move to increase tax on e-cigarettes.  Under the proposal, which was announced as part of the…

Swedish snus tax is a game changer in tobacco harm reduction policies

17 April, Stockholm – International harm reduction experts have commended the Swedish government for keeping to their promise and announcing a date for reducing tax on alternative nicotine products. Last…

Health experts criticise Spain’s new tobacco laws 

12 April, Stockholm – International health experts have criticised the Spanish government’s new legislative proposal on vaping, which would equate e-cigarettes with traditional cigarettes.  The new proposal, published this week,…

[Media] Smoke Free Sweden featured in the Wall Street Journal

In a new video report, the Wall Street Journal examines the growing use of nicotine pouches.  Illustrating the impact that alternative products, such as as snus and nicotine pouches, has…

1.4 million lives could be saved if Brazil adopted Sweden’s smoke free strategy – new report

10 April 2024, Brasilia, Brazil – Almost 1.4 million Brazilian lives – equivalent to the population of Porto Alegre – could be saved if Brazil implemented Sweden’s ‘smoke free’ and…

Snus is key to lowering tobacco-related death rates, says health expert

The use of alternative products to cigarettes have been a key driver in bringing down Sweden’s smoking rates. Sweden is on the cusp of becoming the first EU country to…

Media: The Objective – ¿Se debe regular el tabaco igual que el cigarrillo electrónico? Inglaterra y Suecia tienen la clave

[Read the full article on The Objective] Las próximas semanas serán claves para el Plan Integral del Tabaquismo (PIT). Hasta el próximo 27 de marzo las comunidades autónomas podrán presentar alegaciones.…

International Health Experts Condemn Poland’s Approach to Tobacco Taxation

21 March 2024, Stockholm, Sweden – International health experts have criticised a new proposal from Poland’s Finance Ministry which would tax cigarettes and nicotine pouches at the same level despite…

Celebrating One Year of Smoke Free Sweden: Embracing Alternatives and Advocating for Change

As Smoke Free Sweden marks its one year anniversary, it’s a moment to recognise the remarkable achievements that have propelled the nation towards smoke free status.  With Sweden boasting one…

Smoke Free Sweden marks one year of successful advocacy

14 March 2024, Stockholm, Sweden – Smoke Free Sweden today marked one year of existence and celebrated its achievement of global recognition for Sweden’s fight against smoking using reduced-risk alternatives.…

Nicotine Misinformation Is Threatening Lives In Central Asia

By Dr Delon Human ‘First do no harm’ is the most fundamental principle guiding healthcare professionals worldwide. It is disappointing therefore that health authorities across Central Asia are instituting policies…

Smoke Free Sweden calls on policymakers to fight vaping misinformation

Stockholm, 29 February – Smoke Free Sweden is urging policymakers to take action on vaping misinformation after new research found the majority of smokers in England wrongly believe vapes are…

Snus tax is a ‘trailblazer’ in global fight against smoking

Wednesday 21 February –  Today’s move by Swedish lawmakers towards slashing the taxes on alternative nicotine products has been hailed by international harm reduction experts as a trailblazing example of…

COP10: A missed opportunity to save millions of lives

Stockholm, 14 February – Following the conclusion of the 10th Conference of the Parties on Tobacco Control (FCTC COP10) last weekend, leading global health experts have expressed disappointment over the…

Delon Human’s FCTC COP10 Insights – Day 5

Day 5 COP10 wrapped up on February 10th, with the member states mainly focusing on FCTC Article 18, concerning the protection of the environmental impact of combustible tobacco cultivation, manufacture,…

Delon Human’s FCTC COP10 Insights – Day 4

Day 4 After several days of delegations setting out their stalls, it was my hope that the parties to the FCTC would see sense and talk about the importance of…

Delon Human’s FCTC COP10 Insights – Day 3

Day 3 COP10 reached its halfway stage, with an interesting tension developing between two trends – some at COP10 arguing for more (unproven) extreme tobacco control measures, such as ‘denicotinisation’,…

Delon Human’s FCTC COP10 Insights – Day 2

Day 2 COP10 continued yesterday with the majority of WHO member states neglecting the known benefits of Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR). As was the case on the first day of…

Delon Human’s FCTC COP10 Insights – Day 1

Day 1  COP10 started on Monday and a prevailing anti-nicotine sentiment underscored the discussions, overshadowing the known benefits of tobacco harm reduction (THR). This stance, while aimed at combating tobacco’s…

Experts emphasise the urgent need for Tobacco Harm Reduction at COP10

February 5, 2024, Stockholm, Sweden – With the EU unveiling its comprehensive cancer strategy and the 10th Conference of the Parties on Tobacco Control (FCTC COP10) beginning in Panama today,…

Why Sweden should be the focus at COP10

By Dr. Anders Milton Over the coming days, delegates from 183 countries will be making their final preparations for the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the WHO Framework Convention…

COP10: A missed opportunity?

By Dr Delon Human, leader of the Smoke Free Sweden movement. As the global community gears up for the delayed 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the WHO Framework…

Major New WHO Report Highlights Sweden’s Smoke Free Success

Stockholm, 16 January – A MAJOR new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights Sweden’s success in going smoke-free with the help of less harmful cigarette alternatives. The WHO…

Cochrane review echoes Swedish approach: less harmful alternatives, like vaping superior to other quit methods

Stockholm, 12 January – A new Cochrane review has found yet again that nicotine e-cigarettes are more effective in helping people quit smoking than conventional nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT).  The Cochrane…

Health Advocates call on countries to make smoke free New Year’s resolution for 2024

Stockholm, 27th Dec – Smoke Free Sweden has launched a new digital campaign urging governments and politicians around the world to make a New Year’s resolution and help their country…

Health experts cheer the UK’s approach on tobacco taxation

Stockholm, 1st December – Leading health advocates have commended the UK’s progressive approach to taxing less harmful alternatives such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches in the Autumn Statement. Last week,…

COP10: a fresh opportunity to learn from Smoke Free Sweden

This week, COP10 should have taken place in Panama. While the conference has been postponed, the Smoke Free Sweden movement is calling on policymakers to take heed of the Swedish…

Experts recommend seizing the COP 10 delay as a catalyst for tobacco control innovation

Stockholm, 21 November – The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control must use the delays to its Tenth Conference of the Parties (COP10) to consider smoke-free success stories like that of Sweden,…

COP10: What if lives were saved?

This week, COP10 should have taken place. We’re taking the opportunity to look at what COP10 could have achieved if it embraced tobacco harm reduction. Sweden’s journey towards becoming the…

Media: Smoke Free Sweden continues to make headlines

The Smoke Free Sweden campaign is continuing to make waves around the world. On 7 November, several international outlets published a story on Sweden’s smoke-free achievements. The Telegraph (UK), El…

Swedish approach could be a game changer in tobacco harm reduction policies

Stockholm, 9 November – The Swedish approach to tobacco harm reduction could be a game changer for public health. The Institute of Tobacco Studies (ITS) in Sweden is calling for…

From Stockholm to COP10: Experts Allied in Their Quest for a Smoke-Free Society

2 November 2023, Stockholm, Sweden – The Smoke Free Sweden movement has set out policy recommendations for building a smoke-free society ahead of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s Tenth…

More than 2.5 million lives could be saved in four LMICs countries by adopting Sweden’s smoke-free strategy – major new report

LONDON, UK – A major new research study has revealed that adopting Sweden’s tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategies could save 2.6 million lives in four low and middle income countries.…

New Zealand study reveals access to alternative products is more effective than tax hikes when it comes to smoking cessation

Stockholm, 13 October – a new report from New Zealand has found that vaping has helped to accelerate the rate of smoking cessation in the country. According to the report,…

Why an EU-wide nicotine pouch ban could undermine public health

Stockholm, 9 October 2023 – In a baffling move that disregards data-driven public health strategies, the European Union is considering a full-scale ban on nicotine pouches.  Smoke Free Sweden strongly…

[Media] Smoke Free Sweden featured on CNN Brasil

In a news report broadcast on 27 September, CNN Brasil examines the impact e-cigarettes has had in bringing down smoking levels in various countries. The piece highlights the success of…

Sunak must consider the Swedish approach to bringing down UK smoking rates

3 October 2023, Stockholm, Sweden – The UK must follow Sweden’s lead and continue to support alternatives to cigarettes to tackle smoking rates, leading public health advocates have said. UK…

[Media]: Leading French newspaper Les Echos spotlights Smoke Free Sweden

In its issue on 27 September 2023, Les Echos writes that Sweden has experienced a significant reduction in daily smoking rates, far below the European Union average, thanks in part…

Sweden Must Defend Smoke-Free Policies at the World Health Organisation

As the world awaits the upcoming World Health Organisation COP 10 conference, the Swedish government finds itself in a unique position to emphasise the significance of their approach towards achieving…

Health experts condemn backward ban on lifeline for smokers

LEADING international public health experts have expressed serious concern about Kazakhstan’s imminent ban on vapes as a “backward step” that contradicts the unprecedented success of more progressive countries which are…

Media: Expressen (SE) – The reduced snus tax is an unprecedented move

The reduction of the snus tax shows that the government does not see cigarettes and snus as equally dangerous. This is a unique shift. The Public Health Agency of Sweden…

Three million lives could have been saved by adopting Sweden’s smoke free strategy – major new report

WARSAW – THREE million more Europeans would be alive today if other countries had implemented Sweden’s ‘smoke free’ and tobacco harm reduction strategy, a new report being launched today will…

Media: Euronews – Smoke free Sweden: Why are Swedes stubbing out their cigarettes?

The Scandinavian country is a trailblazer when it comes to quitting smoking, but other forms of tobacco consumption are still popular. [Read the full article on Euronews] Sweden is on…

Media: O Globo – Tabagismo: como a Suécia está prestes a se tornar o 1º país da Europa livre do cigarro

A abordagem sueca combina métodos de controle do tabagismo com estratégias de minimização de danos, como os cigarros eletrônicos. [Read the article on O Globe] A Suécia está a caminho…

Sweden’s smoke-free success defies WHO statements on e-cigarettes, say experts

Stockholm, Sunday June 4, 2023 – Advocates for tobacco harm reduction have expressed “deep disappointment and alarm” over comments made about e-cigarettes by the World Health Organization (WHO) director general,…

MEPs to get first-hand look at the Swedish success story as country marks last World No Tobacco Day before becoming Smoke Free

Brussels, May 31 – On World No Tobacco Day, leading global health experts have delivered the landmark report “The Swedish Experience: A roadmap for a Smoke Free society” to key…

Especialistas defendem regulamentação de produtos alternativos ao cigarro no Brasil

Ações de redução de danos implementadas pela Suécia poderiam salvar 3,5 milhões de vidas Especialistas, profissionais da saúde e consumidores de  várias  partes do mundo se reuniram em São  Paulo,…

Get South Africa quitting like Sweden to save smokers’ lives, experts urge Ramaphosa

LEADING international public health experts are urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to adopt the ‘Swedish way’ today (Friday) to secure a smoke-free South Africa and save the lives of millions of…

Press Release – QUIT LIKE SWEDEN TO SAVE MILLIONS OF SMOKERS’ LIVES, EXPERTS URGE SA LAWMAKERS

Johannesburg 1 May 2023 LEADING international public health experts have urged South African lawmakers to follow the pioneering example of ‘Smoke Free Sweden’ to save the lives of millions of…

Press Release – EU TPD Consultation: Will the EU follow the Swedish model?

April 25, 2023 – Stockholm – The authors of a landmark report on reducing the death toll from tobacco are urging the European Commission to adopt the successful strategies of…

Press Release – Free vapes scheme for UK smokers is a lifesaver, says global public health expert

Free vapes scheme for UK smokers is a lifesaver, says global public health expert A leading public health expert has welcomed the UK government’s decision to give free vapes to…

Media: La Razon – El sorprendente triunfo de la iniciativa sin humo en Suecia abre una vía que podría salvarle la vida a millones de personas, según un nuevo e importante informe [ES]

Un grupo de expertos en salud pública animan a los países de todo el mundo a seguir el ejemplo de Suecia. [READ THE ARTICLE ON LA RAZON]   Un grupo…

Media: Sigmagazine – La Svezia diventa smoke free grazie agli strumenti di riduzione del danno [IT]

Il traguardo previsto per il 2023. Fondamentale l’apertura a prodotti a rischio ridotto come snus, sigaretta elettronica e nicotine pouches. [READ ARTICLE ON SIGMAGAZINE] È stato presentato questa mattina, in…

Media: Tobacco Reporter: Sweden Approaching ‘Smoke-Free’ Status

Smoking prevalence is poised to drop below 5 percent in the coming months in Sweden—a level that would make the country “smoke-free,” according to a commonly used definition. [Read article…

Media: Altinget – Följ den svenska modellen för att utrota rökningen [SE]

Sverige är på väg att göra något unikt, som inget annat land i EU är i närheten av. Nämligen att bli helt rökfritt. Att sluta röka som Sverige räddar liv.…

Media: Vaping Post – Sweden’s ‘Smoke-Free’ Status and The Successful Strategies Which Achieved it

In May 2017, Sweden was commended for reaching a smokefree status with its smoking rate dropping to 5%. Fast forward to 2023 and the rate has dropped further. [Read article…

Sweden’s Stunning Smoke Free Success Provides a Road Map That Could Save Lives of Millions – Major New Report

STOCKHOLM– 14 March 2023 (BUSINESS WIRE)–PUBLIC health experts launched a major new report  to mark Sweden approaching the historic milestone of becoming Europe’s first ‘Smoke Free’ country. Sweden is on…