Can Spain “Quit Like Sweden” to Lower Smoking Rates?
As Spain continues its fight against tobacco use, a crucial question is gaining prominence: could the country further reduce its smoking rates by adopting strategies similar to those successfully implemented in Sweden? At a recent meeting in Madrid organized by the international platform “Quit Like Sweden” (QLS), public health experts and policy analysts discussed the Swedish model as a potential path forward for Spain, emphasizing the role of harm reduction and the accessibility of safer nicotine alternatives.
Sweden stands out in Europe with a remarkably low smoking rate of just 5.3%, a stark contrast to Spain’s rate of 25.8%. The Scandinavian nation is on track to become a “smoke-free country” 15 years ahead of the European Union’s 2040 target. How did they achieve this? According to experts, a key factor has been the widespread availability and social acceptance of alternatives to combustible tobacco, such as vaping products, snus, and, more recently, tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
Suely Castro, founder of QLS, argues that facilitating access to these products can be a decisive factor in helping smokers quit. She contends that these alternatives should be as accessible as traditional cigarettes, and that a variety of flavors and nicotine concentrations are essential to attract and successfully transition current smokers. This approach has been particularly effective in Sweden, where the introduction of these alternatives has helped halve the smoking rate among women, a group that previously had a considerably higher prevalence than men.
Dr. Anders Milton, a public health expert, noted that traditional smoking cessation methods have proven insufficient for many. He stated that millions of smokers lack access to effective alternatives. In Sweden, the implementation of less harmful products has enabled many to abandon the habit of smoking without necessarily giving up nicotine entirely. This harm reduction approach, he suggests, could fundamentally change how Spain confronts its smoking problem.
The role of flavors in this transition is also critical. Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, a researcher who has extensively studied vaping, presented findings indicating that sweet and fruity flavors are 150% more effective in helping smokers quit tobacco compared to traditional tobacco flavors. He warned that prohibiting these flavors could be a significant public health misstep, as restricting effective alternatives may lead consumers to seek unregulated products on the black market.
This concern is echoed by Lorenzo Montanari, vice president of the Tholos Foundation, who pointed to Germany’s experience. He noted that in Germany, where nicotine pouches are practically banned, many users have turned to the black market, creating an environment of unregulated products and associated health risks. A recent survey in Spain revealed that 75% of adults consider nicotine pouches to be a healthier alternative to smoking, and 84% oppose proposed restrictions.
Dr. Miguel de la Guardia, an emeritus professor of analytical chemistry, framed the issue with urgency, questioning why the alarming daily death toll from smoking doesn’t receive the same level of attention as other disasters. He argued that while governments have a responsibility to protect young people from starting to smoke, they must also provide effective tools for current adult smokers to quit, including options like vaping and nicotine pouches.
The consensus among the experts is that reviewing and adapting Spain’s tobacco consumption policies could be a crucial step towards a healthier society. By providing effective, accessible, and appealing alternatives, they argue, Spain could not only reduce its smoking rates but also save countless lives, following the valuable guidance provided by the Swedish harm reduction model.
- Article source: Suecia marca el camino para disminuir el tabaquismo en España
