WHO Fails To Recognise Smoke Free Nicotine Alternatives
The World Health Organisation is failing to understand the potentially lifesaving benefits of smoke free nicotine alternatives, say Smoke Free Sweden.
The leading global health experts have urged the WHO to study the success of Sweden in approaching tobacco harm reduction.
Alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches are not being highlighted for their potentially transformative impact on adult smokers.
Dr Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden, said: “It is disheartening to see the WHO continue to ignore the success of Sweden. Sweden’s experience shows that harm reduction can be a powerful tool in achieving public health goals and reducing the prevalence of smoking-related diseases.
In Sweden’s attitude and approach toward tobacco harm reduction, young people are prevented from starting to smoke while adult smokers find a safer solution to their cigarette problem.
According to Sweden’s public health agency, smoking is lowest among those aged 16-29 at a smoking incidence of 3.8%. This is even lower than the Swedish average of 5.6%, which is already the lowest in all of Europe.
In comparison with the UK, as of 2022, 11.6 percent of young adults aged 18 to 24 in the UK were current smokers. The highest smoking rate was found in the 25 to 34 age group, with 16.3 percent of the population smoking. It’s estimated that 1 in 8 people (12.9%) smoke in the UK.
Why is Sweden’s smoking rate so low?
Alternative smoke free nicotine products have lower excise duties in Sweden, which Smoke Free Sweden say equates to their lower risk.
Alongside education and tobacco control measures, smokers in Sweden are provided with high quality ranges of legal, smoke free nicotine alternatives.
In Sweden, the wide availability of alternative nicotine products has led to a 44% reduction in tobacco-related deaths compared to the European average. Additionally, the lung cancer rate is 41% lower, and there are 38% fewer deaths attributable to any type of cancer.
What should the World Health Organisation do?
Smoke Free Sweden suggests that making alternatives to smoking more readily available is what must be implemented by governments, something which the WHO are failing to recognise.
Dr Delon Human expressed: “The WHO’s neglect of adult smokers seeking safer paths is like that of a building with no fire escapes: leaving occupants with no route to flee the dangers of smoking.
“As the foremost international health body, it has a responsibility to help save the almost 8 million adult lives lost to smoking each year.”
Smoke Free Sweden state: “For years, we have advocated for scientific evidence to play a more significant role in the development of policies aimed at reducing smoking. The progressive approach of Sweden is distinct and enables us to call for the inclusion of empirical evidence in that debate as well.
“The WHO has yet to take a similar approach, even though harm reduction is explicitly recognised in the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. Ensuring that alternative nicotine products are acceptable, accessible, and affordable will be paramount to ensure that other countries can replicate Sweden’s success.”
Who is Smoke Free Sweden?
Smoke Free Sweden is a campaign group advocating for other countries to adopt the Swedish approach to Tobacco Harm Reduction.
Sweden is on the verge of becoming the first “smoke-free” European country, with a smoking rate below 5 percent. This significant achievement is largely due to Sweden’s open attitude towards alternative nicotine products.
Smoke Free Sweden reports that the trend of quitting smoking saves more than 3,400 lives annually. They also estimate that 2.84 million lives across the EU could have been saved if other countries had followed Sweden’s example.
Summary – WHO Fails To Recognise Smoke Free Nicotine Alternatives
Sweden’s wide acceptance of vapes and nicotine pouches as smoking cessation tools has undoubtedly helped to bring their smoker average down 15% in the last 20 years.
Of course, tobacco control measures and good education have also been instrumental in Sweden’s rise to becoming an almost smoke free society. But all of these facets work hand in hand, as a strong framework for tobacco harm reduction.
This is what must be recognised most by the WHO. Accepting alternative nicotine products is one thing, but the education needed to use them is paramount.
