A European country has become the world’s first ‘smoke-free’ country, but there’s a loophole that has become hugely popular in replacement.
Across much of the world, especially in Western countries, cigarette smoking has been trending downward for years.
However, public health researchers note that as conventional smoking declines, nicotine use hasn’t disappeared. Alternatives such as vaping have grown rapidly, with younger age groups often driving the increase.
Many of these products are promoted as “safer” than cigarettes, but health specialists caution that long-term impacts are still being researched and that dependence on nicotine can still develop.
Against that backdrop, Sweden has now been officially recognized as the world’s first “smoke-free” nation. Data shows the share of Swedish smokers dropping from 16 percent in 2003 to 4.8 percent in 2025.
Countries with smoking rates under five percent qualify for the “smoke-free” designation.
Sweden had set its sights on reaching that threshold by 2025, but it hit the benchmark earlier than planned, achieving it this year.
To put that in perspective, cigarette smoking rates in Japan and the United States sit at roughly 12–13 percent. In parts of Europe, the figures are higher still—often cited at around 25 percent in France, 20 percent in Spain, 17 percent in Denmark, and 11 percent in the UK.
But Sweden’s achievement comes with an asterisk.
While cigarette smoking has fallen to “smoke-free” levels, Sweden also has a long-standing and widely used nicotine product: Swedish snus.
Snus is a smokeless tobacco product placed under the upper lip, allowing nicotine to be absorbed through the gums.
It’s neither smoked nor chewed and is commonly sold in small pouch-like portions.
As cigarette use has dropped, snus use has moved in the opposite direction. In other words, nicotine demand appears to remain strong even as traditional smoking becomes less common.
Health authorities generally consider snus to be associated with far fewer health harms than smoking cigarettes and not as dangerous as combustible tobacco use.
Still, it isn’t risk-free and carries health concerns of its own.
The Cleveland Clinic warns that snus use may raise the risk of certain cancers, including throat, mouth, and pancreatic cancers, and can also contribute to dental issues and gum disease.
Speaking to the health outlet, pulmonologist Humberto Choi said: “Some of the symptoms nicotine pouches cause may seem minor at first.
“But when you ignore those symptoms and continue to use them, the damage builds and may cause serious health issues over time.”
If you need support and advice about quitting smoking, go to the American Lung Association’s ‘Freedom from Smoking’ website where you can access resources and speak to professionals.