Sweden is one of the countries with the strictest smoking laws. And it seems they are working: The Scandinavian country is on the verge of becoming the world’s first smoke-free country in the next few years. And that was two years ahead of its original goal. In contrast, the European Union has planned to implement this goal by 2040. But how has Sweden managed to become smoke-free already, and even with a few years to spare? And what about some other countries in Europe?
Sweden’s ambitious goal
Sweden, which has the lowest smoking rate in the European Union, is poised to become the first “smoke-free” country in Europe. Smoke-free in this context is defined as having fewer than 5% daily smokers in the population. For example, only 6.4% of Swedes over the age of 15 were daily smokers in 2019. That’s the lowest figure in the EU and well below the EU-27 average of 18.5%, according to Eurostat, the statistics office. According to statistics from the Swedish National Board of Health, the smoking rate has fallen since then and was 5.6% last year.
Health-conscious Swedes, including the younger generation, seem to be well aware of the risks of smoking. It is important to note how restrictive smoking bans have been successfully implemented in recent years. As early as 2005, the ban on smoking in restaurants was passed in Sweden. In 2019, the regulation was tightened: smokers were no longer only prohibited from enjoying their cigarettes in restaurants and bars. They were no longer allowed to do so right outside the door or on the terrace. The ban on smoking was extended from enclosed spaces to outdoor public areas. This initially included entrance and outdoor areas of restaurants and pubs, playgrounds, train stations and bus stops.
No advertising for tobacco products
A measure planned in Switzerland is designed to protect young people, the Confederation says. Advertising for tobacco products and e-cigarettes is to be completely banned. The move is also expected to affect a large portion of online advertising and public displays, especially in places accessible to people under 18. This expanded ban is set to take effect in mid-2026. The goal of these restrictions is to reduce tobacco use and related deaths. According to the government, 6.9 percent of 11- to 15-year-old Swiss had smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days, while 5.7 percent of young people aged 15 to 24 had used electronic cigarettes at least once a month.
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More expensive tobacco = fewer smokers?
By raising the price of tobacco, fewer and fewer people should be willing to smoke, according to the core idea of the French strategy to become smoke-free. France is a country where smoking rates have been relatively high, with around 33% of the population claiming to smoke cigarettes on a regular basis.
To have a comparison, in contrast, in Germany, it is only about 25%. However, this could soon come to an end. In France, more and more people are giving up smoking. About one million French people have quit smoking within a year. It has been reported that the number of people who smoke has dropped from 13.2 million (2016) to 12.2 million (2017).
But what is the reason for this? The main reason for this drastic decrease in smokers is the increase in tobacco prices. The French government gradually raised the price of a pack of cigarettes with the very aim of making smoking less attractive. Thus, in 2018, the price was still 7.00 euros, it is currently 10.50 euros. The significant price increase is already a reason for many to give up smoking, which represents a success in the strategy of the French Ministry of Health.
More and more countries are recognising the health harms of smoking and are beginning to embark on a “smoke-free” course. Looking at European countries alone, it is clear how different the measures can be. Therefore, it is important to note that there are no one-size-fits-all rules for how a country can become smoke-free, as it always depends on the society, the policy, and the goals being targeted as to which measures work best for the country in question.
