The Swedes have reached this milestone 16 years ahead of the European Union’s target – while most other member states will fall well short of this goal.

Official health data released by Sweden’s public health agency show that only 4.5 per cent of the nation’s Swedish-born over-16s smoke – significantly below the globally recognised benchmark of 5 per cent for smoke free status.

The Swedes’ success is the result of their “pioneering policy” approach to safer alternatives to cigarettes. Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden, said: “This outstanding achievement marks a significant moment in global public health and stands as a testament to the progressive policies that have guided Sweden’s approach to tobacco control. In the early 1960s, nearly half of Swedish men smoked. By embracing and encouraging the use of alternative nicotine products such as snus, oral nicotine pouches and vapes, Sweden has paved a clear path to a smoke-free society while safeguarding public health.

The new statistics show that 5.3 per cent of all adults in Sweden, including immigrants, currently smoke. Remarkably, the data also reveals that people born elsewhere in Europe would on average be three times more likely to smoke if they had not moved to Sweden, according to the report.

Dr. Anders Milton, a physician and former president and CEO of the Swedish Medical Association, says: “Key to Sweden’s success is its pragmatic focus on harm reduction rather than prohibition. A wide range of safer nicotine products, with a variety of strengths and flavours, is legally available both online and in stores, supported by advertising, which raises awareness and encourages uptake. The Swedish government also applies a proportional excise tax, keeping smoke-free products more affordable than cigarettes. This tax policy, coupled with public education campaigns, has empowered Swedish consumers to make healthier choices and contributed to the country’s leading role in tobacco harm reduction.”

The benefits of Sweden’s strategy are significant, with the country having the lowest percentage of tobacco-related diseases in the EU and a 41 per cent lower incidence of cancer than other European countries, the report said.