Tobacco Facts and its member organizations have been running the initiative Tobacco Endgame – Smoke-Free Sweden 2025 since 2013. A goal that has also received political support. The goal set was that daily smoking in Sweden by 2025 would be down to below five percent of the population. The latest report from CAN shows that this goal has actually been achieved. The figures in the report are from 2025, and then 3,7 percent were daily smokers.
The goal should apply to everyone
The latest report does not include a breakdown of smoking by educational level. It is therefore not possible to say anything about another important goal, that the low proportion of smokers should apply to everyone in society. The latest statistics showed that 11 percent of people who left school after the 9th grade smoked, while it was very unusual among people with a long education. The tobacco endgame work must therefore continue.
Another factor that also leads to continued work is that many Swedes still use tobacco and nicotine.
– It is gratifying that the government's goal of a Smoke-Free Sweden by 2025 with less than five percent daily smokers has been achieved. The same policy now needs to be applied to the alarming increase in snus use and e-cigarettes among young adults who risk serious health problems and lifelong nicotine addiction, says Ann Post, head of the office at Tobacco Facts.
One in five snuffers
The latest report from CAN shows that almost one in five adult Swedes smokes snus (18%). It is most common among young adults. Almost one in three Swedes aged 18-29 smokes snus (29%). Young men smoke the most, 36 percent are snus users.
White snus is most common among young adults. This is especially true for women, 93 percent of female snus users use white snus. On average, 67 percent of young adults use white snus.
Among smokers, it is about as common to smoke sporadically as daily. Those who vape generally do so sporadically. For snus users, it is the opposite, a large majority of those who use snus do so regularly.
The world wants to see action
In summary, smoking is down to a low level, but at the same time, vaping and, above all, snus have become more common in Sweden.
– The Nordic countries and the EU are discussing introducing measures aimed at reducing the attractiveness of nicotine products. An initiative supported by the proposals in the government investigation “A safe upbringing without nicotine, alcohol and nitrous oxide” from 2024. It is high time to implement these proposals, says Ann Post.
Footnote: The statistics are for Sweden's population aged 18–84.
Read also: Sweden and snus are no role model
Source:
Publications habits and consequences 2025 CAN
Government investigation 2024 – proposals to reduce the use of nicotine products among young people
Tobacco Endgame – success but much work remains
