Sweden Calls for Global Adoption of Harm Reduction on International Day

Sweden Enshrines Harm Reduction in Law, Blocks EU Ban on Nicotine Pouches

By DTD- On May 7, 2025

STOCKHOLM — On International Harm Reduction Day, Smoke Free Sweden has called on governments, public health leaders, and civil society organizations worldwide to embrace harm reduction strategies that have propelled Sweden to the forefront of global anti-smoking efforts.

With the lowest smoking rates in the European Union, Sweden is on the verge of becoming the world’s first officially smoke-free country, defined as having a smoking prevalence below 5%. This milestone is largely attributed to Sweden’s pragmatic approach, which prioritizes safer nicotine alternatives like snus, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes over prohibition and punitive policies.

“Sweden’s success has come not from bans or blame, but from offering safer options that meet people where they are,” said Dr. Delon Human, a global public health expert and leader of Smoke Free Sweden. “Our message to the world is simple: Let’s celebrate life-saving policies and make them the foundation of a smoke-free future for all.”

Unlike countries that rely solely on traditional tobacco control measures, Sweden’s model includes risk-proportionate taxation, evidence-based education, and widespread access to less harmful alternatives for adult smokers.

Comparative data underscores Sweden’s unique progress:

France: Despite strict regulations, smoking fell by just 1% in 11 years, leaving France with a smoking rate five times higher than Sweden’s.
Spain: A Swedish-style approach could have prevented over 30,000 deaths, as smoking in Spain remains at 25%.
Pakistan: With nearly one in four men smoking, adopting Sweden’s harm reduction model could drastically reduce tobacco use.
Kenya: Despite having triple Sweden’s male smoking rate, Kenya is planning restrictions on the very alternatives that have helped Sweden succeed.
South Africa: One in four adults smokes in South Africa. Policies inspired by New Zealand and Sweden could potentially save millions of lives.

Sweden recently codified harm reduction into national policy, shifting its official focus from reducing tobacco use to reducing tobacco harm. The Swedish government also intervened at the EU level to delay a proposed ban on nicotine pouches in Spain, defending access to safer alternatives across Europe.

“Harm reduction is both a human right and a global necessity,” said Dr. Human. “Every smoker deserves access to the tools and information that can help them quit or switch to something less harmful. Let Sweden be the proof—and let 2025 be the year the world acts.”