Quit Like Sweden: Adopt effective strategies to end smoking

Sweden’s approach involves providing safer alternatives like snus (left) and nicotine pouches, along with strong public education efforts (pic: AFP)

by HIDAYATH HISHAM

EXPERTS are urging Malaysia to explore innovative solutions to break the smoking habit.

Amid rising concerns over the high prevalence of smoking, there is a renewed push to implement strategies to reduce smoking rates — Malaysia currently has five million smokers.

Quit Like Sweden (QLS), a not-for-profit platform, recently presented proven harm reduction strategies that could help these smokers transition to safer alternatives.

The event highlighted that Malaysia has an opportunity to significantly reduce smoking-related deaths by learning from Sweden’s success in this area.

It brought together experts such as Dr Anders Milton and Dr Fredrik Nystrom from Sweden, Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh (Malaysia) and Prof Marewa Glover (New Zealand).

Dr Milton, a physician with experience in public health, shared the straightforward logic behind Sweden’s success.

“The reason Sweden has become maybe the best in the world in this issue is because its people understand that smoking kills while snus, which you put in your mouth, does not. Simple as that.”

He pointed out that while Sweden has implemented smoking bans in restaurants and public spaces, the real success lies in the public’s understanding and adoption of safer alternatives.

Dr Nystrom, a professor at Linköping University in Sweden, noted that educating the public on the dangers of smoke, not just smoking, has been key to Sweden’s success.

Meanwhile, Dr Sharifa Ezat provided a sobering look at the challenges Malaysia faces, including the significant influence of the tobacco industry.

“We receive a lot of tobacco influx from big tobacco companies as well as from local players,” she said, highlighting the growing prevalence of illicit cigarettes in Malaysia, which complicates efforts to reduce smoking rates.

She noted that tax increases have not reduced smoking rates because illegal tobacco products and the black market remain easily accessible.

Dr Sharifa Ezat also emphasised the urgent need for stronger regulation and quality control for vaping products to ensure they are safe and effective.

Further into the discussion, Glover shared insights from New Zealand’s experience, where harm reduction strategies have led to significant declines in smoking rates.

“New Zealand adopted a tobacco harm reduction approach when it became clear we would not reach our goal of reducing smoking prevalence to 5% by 2025,” she said.

Glover said New Zealand has not taxed vaping products, and it reduced the excise tax on heated tobacco products by 50%.

Clear communication about the relative risks of smoking versus vaping is essential for helping people make informed decisions, she added.

The speakers collectively stressed the need for Malaysia to urgently adopt harm reduction strategies and prioritise public education to combat smoking-related diseases.

QLS founding director Suely Castro emphasised that Malaysia needs policies that make smoking alternatives accessible, acceptable and affordable. Sweden’s approach involves providing safer alternatives like snus and nicotine pouches, along with strong public education efforts.

“Sweden’s success in reducing smoking rates is unparalleled. In Sweden, cancer incidence is 41% lower than the European average, and smoking-related deaths are significantly fewer.

“This highlights the importance of making smoking alternatives both available and acceptable.”

She stressed that hundreds of thousands of lives in Malaysia and millions more around the world could be saved just by replicating a model that has already worked so well for Sweden.

“And there is no better time to start that conversation than now,” Castro added.

The event provided a clear path forward for Malaysia: By embracing harm reduction and tailoring proven strategies to fit its unique context, the country can make significant strides in reducing smoking-related diseases and deaths.

While challenges lie ahead, the success stories from Sweden and New Zealand offer hope that Malaysia can achieve similar outcomes with the right policies in place.