Background to Tobacco Endgame
Tobacco Endgame = a shift in perspective
In Sweden, 12,000 people die each year from tobacco smoking and worldwide the number of annual deaths due to smoking is approximately 6 million. The social costs of smoking are enormous and much higher than the income from tobacco taxes. At the same time, the tobacco industry invests large resources in recruiting new consumers and driving the tobacco epidemic forward. In 2003, the world's countries agreed on the World Health Organization's (WHO) Tobacco Control Convention as a countermeasure. It contains a broad arsenal of measures that countries must implement to sustainably reduce tobacco smoking.
But why settle for trying to reduce smoking, why not phase it out completely? That idea has led to a shift in perspective in some countries. New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland and Finland have made political decisions about the year (different in different countries) when smoking should approach zero. The shift in perspective provides inspiration in tobacco prevention work and makes it clear that many different tobacco prevention measures are needed to reach the goal. This strategy has been internationally named Tobacco Endgame.
What has happened so far?
Since 2013, nearly 200 organizations have supported the Tobacco Endgame initiative. Support is broad, but dominated by healthcare professional and trade union organizations, all county councils/regions and an increasing number of county administrative boards and municipalities. This support reflects a growing awareness of the negative effects of smoking on the individual, the environment, the burden of healthcare and social care, and the economy.
Attitude surveys among the population also show increasing support; seven out of ten people in 2016 supported the long-term goal of phasing out smoking by 2025.
The government has also supported the goal of phasing out smoking by 2025. This is stated in the ANDT strategy 201620 as well as in the government statement for 2017.
The shift in perspective – with a time-bound target for smoking – should also be seen as a concrete part of the government's ambition "to close modifiable health gaps within a generation". The shift in perspective is also an important part of the effort to achieve the global goals for sustainable development set by the UN – Agenda 2030. Tobacco use is involved in one way or another in all seventeen goals.
The way forward – this needs to happen
A Sweden free from smoking and nicotine addiction
– for increased equality and sustainable development
Smoking shortens life by an average of 10 years, and the final years of life are often associated with serious illness, suffering, healthcare needs and societal costs. Smoking is one of the most important preventable risk factors for disease and shortened life expectancy. For more than a century, the tobacco industry’s unsustainable production and sale of addictive nicotine products has significantly worsened public health both nationally and globally.
Since the turn of the century, preventive work has been guided by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which aims to protect people from nicotine addiction and eliminate tobacco consumption in all its forms. The convention clarifies the central role of nicotine in tobacco use and addiction. Cigarette smoking has decreased in many countries as a result of regulations and tobacco prevention work. In recent years, new nicotine products have been developed with an almost infinite variety of flavors. The design of the products attracts children and young people who are at risk of becoming addicted to nicotine. Consumption and production of nicotine products is also a serious obstacle to achieving the Agenda 2030's sustainability goals.
The combined use of nicotine and tobacco products is increasing among both young people and adults in Sweden. The products contain nicotine, which is an acutely toxic poison, affecting the nerves and blood vessels and meeting the criteria for classification as a narcotic drug as it is both dangerous to health and addictive. Tobacco constitutes a well-documented serious threat to public health.
Two lines of action and goals for the coming years
1. Intensify the work with Tobacco Endgame Smoke-free Sweden 2025.
Current target of less than five percent daily smokers should cover all population groups. Allocate resources to support remaining daily smokers in their efforts to quit. Make cigarettes unattractive to young people through price increases and regulations.
2. Decide on a plan and goal for a nicotine-free generation by 2030.
Support research and raise awareness among the public and decision-makers about the unsustainable effects of nicotine in production and consumption. Restrict marketing and sales of nicotine products. Make nicotine products unattractive to young people through price increases and regulations.
The goal is set in harmony with the steering documents of national and international actors:
• Public Health Bill 2017/18. Good and equal health: a developed public health policy. Ministry of Social Affairs 2018.
• A comprehensive strategy for alcohol, drug, doping, tobacco policy and gambling 2022 – 2025.
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• The World Health Organization's (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
• EU Tobacco Products Directive.
• UN resolution Agenda 2030.
• EU: Europe's Beating Cancer Plan 2021 – 2040.
We need your organization – this is what joining Tobacco Endgame means
An organization that wants to contribute its support should decide to support the following three points:
- We understand the background and the need to tighten tobacco prevention efforts.
- We support the principle that a year should be specified when smoking should be severely restricted.
- We support broad opinion formation for political decisions about the process that leads to the goal.
The decision to support the initiative may also include a decision on
to actively participate in forming opinions. It is also important to simultaneously consider how the position can be linked to one's own health promotion and tobacco prevention work and to the work for sustainable development. The position for Tobacco Endgame can become a source of inspiration and a driving force in one's own work. For example, many county councils/regions and municipalities have decided on regional or local tobacco prevention goals in connection with the decision to support Tobacco Endgame – Smoke-Free Sweden 2025.
Does your organization also want to take this important step for a healthier future? Questions about what it means to support a smoke-free Sweden in 2025 and about the list can be sent to boethius@tobaksfakta.se
We support Tobacco Endgame – a smoke-free Sweden by 2025, the full list
The list was last updated on 2020-09-01
Organizations with national tobacco prevention work
A Non-Smoking Generation
The Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association
The Cancer Foundation
The Heart and Lung Foundation
The Lung Cancer Association Support
Doctors Against Tobacco
Teachers Against Tobacco
The Network Against Cancer
Psychologists against Tobacco
The National Heart and Lung Association
National Association SMART
Nurses Against Tobacco
SMART youth
Dental care against Tobacco
Tobacco Facts – independent think tank
Tobacco prevention network in county councils and regions (TPLR)
Young Allergy Sufferers
VISIR
Healthcare professions
Academic Union SSR
The Asthma, Allergy and COPD Nurses Association (ASTA)
The National Association of Dietitians
DSF-District Nursing Association in Sweden
The physiotherapists
The Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists (FSA)
HealthAcademics
International Federation of Medical Students' Associations – Sweden (IFMSA)
The Association of Graduate and Junior Physicians
National Organization of Registered Chiropractors
Health Promotion Healthcare Network
The National Association of School Nurses
SFAM Swedish Association for General Practitioners
Sjukhusläkarna
SRAT – Graduates in Health, Communication and Administration
Swedish Association for Public Health Work
Swedish Association of Nurses in Diabetes Care
Swedish Surgical Association
Swedish Pulmonary Medical Association
Swedish Rheumatological Association
Swedish Nurses Association
Swedish Social Medical Association
Swedish Urological Association
Swedish Pediatric Association
Swedish Midwives' Association
Swedish District Medical Association
Swedish Speech Therapy Association
Swedish Medical Association
Swedish Psychiatric Association
Swedish Dental Nurses Association
Swedish Medical Association
Swedish Medical Association Student
Swedish Pharmacists
Swedish Psychological Association
Swedish Dental Hygienists Association
Swedish Dental Association
Swedish Dental Association Student Association
Swedish Veterinary Association
Swedish Ophthalmological Association
SYLF Swedish Young Physicians' Association
The Healthcare Association
Student Health Association
Professional associations for physical activity (YFA)
Caregiver
Angered Community Hospital
Capio AB
Laholm Health
Blekinge County
Dalarna Region
Gotland Region
Gävleborg Region
Halland Region
Region Jamtland Härjedalen
Region Jönköping County
Region Kalmar Län
Kronoberg Region
Region Norrbotten
Skåne Region
Stockholm Region
Region Sörmland
Uppsala Region
Region Värmland
Västerbotten Region
Region Västernorrland
Region Västmanland
Region Örebro County
Region of Östergötland
Västra Götaland Region
County boards
County Administrative Board Blekinge County
Gävleborg County Administrative Board
County Administrative Board Halland County
County Administrative Board Jämtland County
The County Administrative Board in Jönköping County
County Administrative Board of Kronoberg County
Länsstyrelsen Kalmar län
Stockholm County Administrative Board
County Administrative Board Södermanland County
County Administrative Board Uppsala County
Värmland County Administrative Board
County Administrative Board Västmanland County
Västerbotten County Administrative Board
County Administrative Board Örebro County
Östergötland County Administrative Board
Municipalities
Askersund municipality
Borgholm Municipality
Borås Municipality
Botkyrka Municipality
Degerfors municipality
Eskilstuna Municipality
Essunga Municipality
Hammarö Municipality
Heby Municipality
Helsingborg city
Håbo municipality
Härjedalen Municipality
Hässleholm Municipality
Karlshamn Municipality
Karlskoga Municipality
Karlskrona Municipality
Klippan Municipality
Knivsta municipality
Kungälv Municipality
Köping Municipality
Laxå Municipality
Linköping Municipality
Lycksele Municipality
Malå municipality
Markaryd Municipality
Mörbylånga Municipality
Nordanstig Municipality
Norrköping Municipality
Norrtälje municipality
Norsjö municipality
Nyköping Municipality
Olofström Municipality
Robertsfors Municipality
Ronneby Municipality
Skurup Municipality
Sollentuna Municipality
Sorsele Municipality
Storfors municipality
Storuman Municipality
Strömstad Municipality
Strömsund Municipality
Sunne municipality
Municipality of Tibro
Tingsryd Municipality
Tranemo Municipality
Trelleborg municipality
Trollhättan Municipality
Umeå Municipality
Uppsala Municipality
Vilhelmina municipality
Wimmerby Municipality
Vingåker Municipality
Växjö Municipality
Ystad Municipality
Ånge municipality
Åsele Municipality
Åtvidaberg Municipality
Älmhult Municipality
Östersund Municipality
Organizations in the school field
Choice Fundraising Foundation
Teachers' Union
National Teachers' Union
Swedish Student Council – SVEA
Swedish School Principals' Association
Women's organizations
Women's Organizations' Cooperation Council on Alcohol and Drug Issues, KSAN
The 1,6 million club
The 2,6 million club
Patient associations
Asthma and Allergy Association in Bergslagen
The Asthma and Allergy Association of Södra Närke
Asthma and Allergy Association of Örebro
Asthma and Allergy Association of Örebro County
Asthma and Allergy Association of Uppsala County
Asthma and Allergy Association in Uppsala and Knivsta
Fibromyalgia Association
Uppsala Heart-Lung Association
The Brain Foundation
National Association for Social and Mental Health
Young Allergy Sufferers in Bergslagen
Pensioner organizations
PRO National Pensioners' Organization
Swedish Association of Municipal Pensioners (SKPF)
Swedish Pensioners' Association (SPRF)
Swedish Pensioners' Association SPF
Sobriety organizations
IOGT-NTO
Swedish Society for Temperance and Public Education
Youth Sobriety Association
Sports clubs
Botkyrka Konyaspor KIF
Friskis&Swettis, Uppsala
Swedish Bandy Association
Swedish Walking & Hiking Association
Team Jidr
RF-SISU Uppland
Uppland School Sports Association
Västmanland Sports Association, SISU sports trainers V-manland
Other organizations
Business works in Karlskrona AB
Pharmacy AB
The Children's Ombudsman in Uppsala
KPA Pension
The Little Child's Fund
Olof Palme International Center
The National Association for Health Promotion
Salute Halland
Swedish Municipalities and Regions, SKR
Sweden's Young Muslims
U-FOLD – Forum for research on pharmaceutical and drug addiction
