A Swedish population-based survey documents that “…snus
continues to be the most frequently reported cessation aid among male smokers…”
and “[u]se of snus at the latest quit attempt appeared to be associated with a
higher success rate among both males and females than other reported methods…”
The article in Harm Reduction Journal (here) was written by Dr. Lars Erik Rutqvist, Senior Vice President for Scientific
Affairs at Swedish Match.
Dr. Rutqvist conducted a telephone survey of current and
former tobacco use among 6,008 Swedish men and women age 18+ years in November
2008 and September 2009; the results were weighted to represent the Swedish
population. The 12-question interview,
which took about two minutes, asked whether subjects smoked or used snus regularly
or sometimes, and about quit attempts and products.
The table shows that 16% of Swedish men were exclusive snus
users, although only 10% were exclusive smokers. In comparison, almost 14% of Swedish women
smoked, and less than 3% used snus. Dual
use was also more common among men (almost 5%) than among women.
| Prevalence of Tobacco Use Among Men and Women in Sweden Age 18+ Years, 2008-2009 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men | Women | |
| Exclusive Snus Use | 16.4% | 2.7% |
| Exclusive Smoking | 10.2% | 13.8% |
| Dual Use | 4.8% | 1.1% |
| All | 31.4% | 17.6% |
This study provides additional proof that men and women in
Sweden have quit smoking by switching to snus.
The Swedish tobacco experience has been reproduced in Norway (discussed
here) and the U.S. (discussed here). Given the evidence, it is difficult to comprehend why the EU bans snus in
all member countries other than Sweden, and the U.S. government promotes
abstinence as the only quit-smoking option.
Public policy globally should embrace tobacco harm reduction in the
interest of saving smokers’ lives.
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