Fewer than five percent of Swedes smoke daily, according to a new report, effectively cementing Sweden’s status as a smoke-free country.

The report, Self-reported Smoking and Snus Habits 2003–2025 from the Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN), shows that daily smoking in Sweden has fallen dramatically from 16 percent in 2003 to just 4.8 percent in 2025.

At the same time, daily consumption of less harmful alternatives like snus and nicotine pouches has risen from 12 percent in 2007 to 19 percent in 2025.

Proof that harm reduction works

The new figures comes just weeks after another CAN report using slightly different methodology found that daily smoking in Sweden had dropped to 3.7 percent.

“It’s an incredible development that you can reduce harmful behavior this much,” CAN research manager Mats Ramstedt told the TT news agency.

“Given the health risks associated with cigarette smoking, it’s very positive.”

Patrik Strömer, Secretary General of the Association of Swedish Snus Manufacturers also welcomed Sweden becoming the first smoke-free country in the European Union, 15 years ahead of the EU’s 2040 goal.

“This report confirms that Sweden has achieved what many countries still consider impossible,” he tells Snusforumet.

“Passing this historic milestone is further proof that pragmatic harm reduction strategies bring real results. We can only hope that other countries in Europe follow Sweden’s lead.”

Historic shift in Swedes’ nicotine consumption

At the population level, Sweden’s decrease in daily smoking since 2007 (-6.9 percent) matches closely with the increase in daily snus and nicotine pouch use (+6.8 percent), suggesting Swedes have substituted deadly cigarettes with less harmful snus.

The pattern holds for women, with an 8.4 percent drop in daily smoking in line with a 8.3 percent increase in daily snus and pouch use. 

Among younger Swedes (17-29 year olds), the rise in daily snus use (10.6 percent) is greater than the decline in daily smoking (8.8 percent).

Total daily nicotine use in Sweden has remained fairly constant, the CAN data reveals, edging up slightly from from 22.4% in 2007 to 23.9% in 2025.

“These latest figures make it increasingly hard to ignore the role snus and nicotine pouches have played in Sweden becoming smoke-free,” says Strömer.

“The substitution effect couldn’t be any clearer. When given a choice, people are ready to switch from cigarettes to less harmful alternatives.”

Tougher tobacco control measures 

Sweden’s decline in smoking has been ongoing since the late 1970s. In the early 1980s, more than 30 percent of Swedes smoked daily. 

According to the report, the real price of cigarettes has increased by approximately 45 percent since 2003 following repeated tax hikes. 

Smoking has also been banned in bars and restaurants in Sweden since 2005. In 2019, the ban was extended to outdoor public places like bus stops and outdoor cafes.

Strömer admits that Sweden’s tougher cigarette regulations have likely contributed to the country’s declining smoking rate. 

However, he believes snus and nicotine pouches have also played a decisive role.

“Sweden isn’t the only EU country with strong tobacco control regulations, but it is the only EU country were snus isn’t banned,” he explains.

“It’s hard not to take this distinction into consideration when trying to understand why Sweden achieved smoke-free status faster than any other member state.”