Sweden now classified as smoke-free after daily smoking drops below 5%

Sweden has met its public health target of reducing regular smoking to under 5% of the population, officially classifying the country as smoke-free, national broadcaster SVT reports.

The milestone was confirmed in the 2025 annual report on smoking and snus habits by the Central Association for Alcohol and Drug Information (CAN), which found that 4.8% of Swedes now smoke daily—down from 16% in 2003. The decline marks the fulfillment of a long-standing political goal to eliminate widespread smoking by 2025.

Mats Ramstedt, CAN’s research director, called the reduction “an incredible development in curbing such a harmful behavior,” noting that not only have fewer people taken up smoking, but those who do smoke are consuming fewer cigarettes.

The decline follows decades of prevention efforts, including stricter access controls, repeated tax hikes—real tobacco prices have risen 45% since 2003—and expanded support for quitting, such as wider availability of cessation medications. Advertising bans and public health campaigns have also played a key role, Ramstedt said.

However, the report highlights a parallel surge in snus use, which some in the tobacco industry credit for the drop in smoking. Ramstedt cautioned that earlier smoking declines occurred without a corresponding rise in snus, suggesting prevention measures remain the primary driver.

“Studies linking snus to reduced smoking are lacking,” he said, though he acknowledged the need for further research on its potential role alongside other interventions.

CAN’s findings are based on its annual *Monitor* survey, which tracks alcohol and tobacco use among 18,000 Swedes to assess national consumption trends.