Nigeria urged to follow Sweden’s lead in tobacco harm reduction for smoke-free future

Public health expert, Dr. Akinwande Puddicombe has urged Nigeria to adopt Sweden’s pragmatic approach to combat its tobacco-related public health challenges.

Sweden became Europe’s first nation to officially achieve “smoke-free” status, with only 4.5 per cent of Swedish-born adults smoking, which is 16 years ahead of the European Union’s target.

Puddicombe said this achievement underscores the transformative impact of science-backed Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) strategies.

“In the 1960s, nearly half of Swedish men smoked. Today, that figure has dropped significantly due to Sweden’s embrace of safer nicotine alternatives like snus, nicotine pouches, and vaping devices,” Puddicombe stated.

He stated this in his paper titled: “A smoke-free Nigeria is possible: Learning from Sweden’s public health revolution.”

Puddicombe emphasised that rather than enforcing outright bans, Sweden prioritised education, affordability and accessibility of these alternatives, complemented by proportional excise taxes and public awareness campaigns.

He said the result is a dramatic reduction in smoking rates and the lowest levels of tobacco-related diseases and cancers in Europe.

Puddicombe believes Nigeria can emulate Sweden’s success, which embraces harm-reduction strategies to encourage smokers to transition to safer alternatives.

He said in Nigeria, approximately eight per cent of the population uses tobacco products, contributing to preventable illnesses like cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular conditions.

He said despite existing tobacco control policies, progress has been slow, noting that quitting nicotine entirely is ideal.

Puddicombe stressed that for those who struggle to quit, safer alternatives provide a less harmful option.

Puddicombe outlined key steps Nigeria must take to replicate Sweden’s achievements, which includes public awareness campaigns about the relative risks of various nicotine products as well as legalising and regulating safer alternatives.

He said Nigeria’s regulatory framework must evolve to include products like nicotine pouches and vaping devices, ensuring they meet strict quality and safety standards.

Puddicombe also proposed a proportional excise tax system should make safer alternatives more affordable than traditional cigarettes, incentivising smokers to switch as well as partnerships with private-sector stakeholders can foster innovation and expand access to harm-reduction products across the country.

“Adopting harm-reduction strategies could have profound impacts on Nigeria’s public health and economy. Tobacco-related diseases place a significant burden on the healthcare system, and reducing smoking prevalence could alleviate this strain.

“Additionally, fewer tobacco-related illnesses would boost national productivity and reduce poverty among families grappling with smoking-induced health crises,” he stated.

Puddicombe emphasised that these alternatives are not without risks and are addictive, but the evidence suggests they are significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes.