Sweden has achieved its goal of reducing the percentage of regular smokers to below five percent of the population, marking it as a 'smoke-free' country. According to the 2025 annual report on smoking and snus habits from the Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN), the proportion of daily smokers decreased from 16 percent in 2003 to 4.8 percent in 2025. Mats Ramstedt, head of research at CAN, noted that this reduction is a significant development in public health. He highlighted that not only has the number of smokers decreased, but those who do smoke are consuming fewer cigarettes. The decline in smoking rates in Sweden has been ongoing since the late 1970s, attributed to various preventative measures, including increased taxes and advertising bans. Additionally, while the use of snus, a small nicotine pouch, has risen, Ramstedt emphasized that smoking rates had already been declining prior to this trend, suggesting that preventative measures are the primary reason for the reduction in smoking.
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Sweden Achieves Target of Less Than 5% Regular Smokers
Sweden has successfully reduced its smoking rate to below five percent, achieving its goal of being a smoke-free country. The decline is attributed to various public health measures, including increased taxation and advertising bans. Although the use of snus has increased, experts suggest that this is not the primary factor in the reduction of smoking rates.
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Sweden becomes smoke-free country...
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Sweden Achieves Target of Less Than 5% Regular Smokers
