SWEDEN BECOMES ‘SMOKE-FREE’ COUNTRY AS SMOKING RATE FALLS BELOW 5%

Sat 30 May 2026:

Sweden has reached its target of having fewer than 5% of the population smoking regularly, effectively making it a “smoke-free” country, according to Radio Sweden on Monday.

The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs confirmed the milestone, declaring that the country has now met its long-term public health goal of 2025.

At the beginning of the 1980s, more than 30% of Swedes smoked daily, the council noted.

The reduction marks a steady decline over several decades as public health policies and changing social habits contributed to falling smoking rates across the country.

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Worldwide Negative Effects of Smoking on Health and Economy

Health Effects:

Mortality and Morbidity: Smoking is a leading cause of preventable deaths globally, responsible for over 8 million deaths annually. It causes serious diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and many other cancers.
Secondhand Smoke: Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke suffer increased risks of respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer, affecting millions worldwide, including children.
Burden on Healthcare Systems: Smoking-related illnesses require extensive medical treatment, hospitalizations, and long-term care, straining healthcare resources and reducing quality of life.

Economic Effects:

Healthcare Costs: Treating smoking-related diseases costs countries hundreds of billions of dollars annually. This includes direct costs like hospital care and medications, and indirect costs such as lost productivity.
Lost Productivity: Smoking leads to increased absenteeism, reduced work performance, and premature death, which collectively reduce economic output and growth.
Impact on Families and Societies: Smoking-related illnesses often push families into poverty due to medical expenses and lost income, perpetuating cycles of economic hardship.
Environmental Costs: Tobacco farming and production contribute to deforestation, pollution, and waste, adding environmental degradation costs to the economic burden.

In summary, smoking devastates global health by causing millions of deaths and chronic illnesses, while simultaneously imposing massive economic costs through healthcare spending, lost productivity, and social consequences. Combating smoking is essential for improving public health and economic stability worldwide.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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