Sweden Celebrated as Global Leader in Tobacco Harm Reduction
Sweden is recognized as a global leader in tobacco harm reduction by the World Vapers' Alliance.
Key Points
- • Sweden honored as 'Champion of Change' for tobacco harm reduction.
- • Only 4.5% of Swedish adults smoke, significantly lower than the EU average.
- • Czech Republic and Greece also recognized in the event for their smoking rate reductions.
- • WVA advocates for evidence-based harm reduction policies to replace prohibition.
On July 2, 2025, Sweden received the prestigious designation of 'Champion of Change' in tobacco harm reduction from the World Vapers' Alliance (WVA) at a ceremony held outside the European Parliament in Brussels. This accolade marks Sweden's transformation into the world's first officially smoke-free country, with only 4.5% of Swedish adults now smoking, a figure that is five times lower than the average in the European Union.
Michael Landl, the director of WVA, commended Sweden's innovative public health strategies, highlighting that the availability of alternative products like snus, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes has been pivotal in saving lives and reducing smoking rates significantly. He emphasized, "Sweden is a living proof that tobacco harm reduction works," and encouraged other EU nations to adopt similar approaches to combat tobacco-related harm.
In conjunction with Sweden's recognition, the Czech Republic and Greece were honored for their significant advancements in reducing smoking rates. The Czech Republic saw the largest decrease in the EU at 23%, while Greece achieved a notable 14% reduction within three years.
The WVA’s campaign advocates for pragmatic, evidence-based tobacco harm reduction policies, contrasting sharply with prohibitionist approaches that have historically failed to assist smokers. As the EU prepares to revise its tobacco directives, Landl urged policymakers in Brussels to draw lessons from Sweden's success and emphasize choice over bans, reinforcing that sustainable tobacco harm reduction is not just achievable, but already underway in Sweden.