What can the region learn from the Swedish model? Lowering smoking rates and reducing tobacco harm
2025-01-17 11:43:36
TiranaPost
I think that first of all, policymakers should 'dig' into the Swedish experience and try to select and adapt it to their own policies. What I do know is that all the countries in the region still have a fairly high prevalence of smoking.
The 'Rethink' conference held in Belgrade at the end of last year addressed the case of Sweden as a pioneering country in anti-smoking and harm reduction policies.
Patrik Hildingsson, Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs at Swedish Match, the world's largest manufacturer of oral nicotine products, in a media interview discussed the case of Sweden at length and what the region can learn from it.
Sweden's success in reducing tobacco harm is now recognized globally, especially after Sweden was recognized as the first smoke-free country. Can you explain to us what sets the Swedish model apart and what the region can learn from its approach?
The Swedish model has several key elements. First, the regulatory framework has enabled companies to innovate in the nicotine alternative market. Swedish Match has introduced snus – which is becoming a substitute for traditional cigarettes. Also, reduced-risk products offer less harmful alternatives for smokers. In this regard, I think that one product cannot fit all adult smokers. So you need to have a wide range of nicotine alternative products. Then a key component is the regulation of these products in the market.
The key to significantly reducing smoking would be the embrace of alternative products by the smoking population and the regulation of the legal framework for these products.
Looking at it from a health perspective – Sweden has one of the lowest cancer rates in Europe. How does this relate to the use of alternative nicotine products? Also, could this approach bring public health benefits to the region?
You can look at this in two ways. The reason why tobacco-related diseases and mortality are falling is because we in Sweden don't smoke. That's the main reason. And the other is that if smokers choose not to quit, they choose a less harmful alternative.
Sweden has had alternative products like snus or nicotine pouches for more than 200 years. There are about 300 independent scientific studies in this direction.
And what can Serbia learn from this case?
I think that first of all, policymakers should 'dig' into the Swedish experience and try to select and adapt it to their policies. Because what I know is that all the countries in the region still have a fairly high prevalence of smoking.
Sweden is known for its use of oral nicotine products. On the other hand, we can say that the tradition for the region is smoking. Honestly, how optimistic can you be about the success and acceptance of these products in the smoking countries of the region?
I think when it comes to tobacco consumption in any country, cigarettes were the 'culture'. If we go back in time, in the '70s or the '80s, every country would choose cigarettes. So cigarettes were part of the culture in Sweden too, at that time.
With this experience and information that we have now, I am absolutely certain that alternative products will play an important role in the future. There will come a point where countries will have used all their means to eradicate the smoking phenomenon and it will still not be solved.
Of course, regulating these products is good, we support regulation, but you need to give smokers other incentives, new alternatives.
The region could benefit from embracing Sweden's approach by adapting regulations to the relative risks and toxicological profile of products, trusting innovation and less harmful solutions for adult smokers.
Something that perhaps worries the public the most is the use of alternative products such as nicotine pouches by young people. What is the Swedish experience in this regard?
I am a father of four myself, so I know parenting and all the concerns related to young people. But, I am coming back to two elements. The first is having a legal framework and enforcing it. Which in this case means that you should have age restrictions and you should follow them. The second is that it is unfortunate that there are 'not serious' companies in every field, which create a concern for illegal trade. This again relates to creating legal mechanisms, but not by banning these products – but by regulating them. Because banning would encourage the black market.
So we are working closely with our partners to ensure that our products reach the right audience.
