Sweden’s Snus Tax Reduction Affirms Successful Smoke-Free Strategy

The Swedish government’s confirmation of 1 November 2024 as the effective date for its reduced tax on alternative nicotine products has garnered widespread commendation from international harm reduction experts. April 2024 saw the affirmation of the proposed 20% decrease in excise tax on snus and 9% increase in taxes on traditional cigarettes.

The official government announcement affirms that the planned tax changes recognise the vastly reduced risk of snus when compared to cigarettes. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated in 2023, “Anything we can do to reduce and avoid smoking is good.” 

“We are delighted to see the Swedish government implementing a sensible and pragmatic approach to tobacco harm reduction,” stated Head of Smoke Free Sweden and former Health Advisor to three World Health Organisation (WHO) Directors-General, Dr Delon Human.

Sweden is on the cusp of becoming the world’s first smoke-free country with a smoking prevalence of just over 5%. 

Dr Human stresses that Sweden’s successful reduction in smoking rates is “because it has allowed safer alternatives, such as snus, modern nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes, to be accessible, acceptable and affordable to smokers.”

Sweden’s low smoking prevalence is reflected in the fact that its tobacco-related deaths are 44% lower, lung cancer rate is 41% lower, and deaths attributable to any cancer are 38% lower than in the rest of the European Union. 

“This move to reduce the tax on snus is yet another example of how Sweden is leading the way when it comes to combating the deadly toll of cigarettes,” Dr Human concluded.

About Smoke Free Sweden:

Smoke Free Sweden is a movement that encourages other countries to follow the Swedish experience when it comes to tobacco harm reduction. Sweden is about to become the first ‘smoke-free’ European country, with a smoking rate of below 5%. This remarkable achievement can be attributed to Sweden’s open attitude towards alternative products.

For more information on Sweden’s successful approach to becoming a smoke free nation, please visit www.smokefreesweden.org.