The Star: The Snus Way of Stopping Smoking – From “Can Malaysia Quit Like Sweden”

Last month, Bait Al Amanah collaborated with Quit Like Sweden to co-organize the ‘Can Malaysia Quit Like Sweden?’ Forum featuring national and international public health experts to discuss and encourage Malaysia to adopt the Swedish Experience and move people away from using combustible tobacco products. Geraldine Tong from The Star wrote an article covering the event.

Sweden's remarkable journey towards becoming the first smoke-free country in the world, 16 years ahead of the EU target date in 2040, is a testament to its innovative approach to tobacco harm reduction (THR). The nation has achieved the lowest percentage of tobacco-related disease in the EU and a 41% lower incidence of cancer compared to the other 27 countries in the bloc.

While tobacco control measures have played a role, the Quit Like Sweden (QLS) platform argues that Sweden's success can be attributed to the public's understanding of the risks associated with smoking and their willingness to explore safer alternatives. Sweden’s acceptance of alternatives primarily snus, a traditional Swedish tobacco product, has gained popularity as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes.

Dr. Anders Milton, former president of the World Medical Association and current chair of the Snus Commission in Sweden, emphasised the importance of public awareness and understanding. He stated, "You do not get cancer from nicotine but from the tar. You smoke for the nicotine, but you die from the tar."

The data from the Public Health Agency of Sweden clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of Sweden's approach. Daily tobacco smoking has steadily decreased since the early 1980s, reflecting a significant shift towards safer alternatives.

In conclusion, Sweden's success in reducing smoking rates is a testament to the effectiveness of tobacco harm reduction strategies. By embracing alternative tobacco products and promoting public awareness, Sweden has paved the way for other countries to follow suit.

This article was written by Geraldine Tong in The Star

Photo credit: The Star