Sweden’s smoke-free success offers lessons for UAE public health

The UAE can learn from Sweden’s dual approach to tobacco control and harm reduction.

Sweden has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first European country to reach smoke-free status, 16 years ahead of the EU’s 2040 target. This achievement was highlighted at the ‘Innovation in Public Health: The Swedish Experience’ event held by Quit Like Sweden (QLS) at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah on October 12.

QLS, an independent initiative founded by Suely Castro, explores Sweden’s success in reducing daily smoking rates to just 3.7%. The country’s strategy involves adopting World Health Organization (WHO) tobacco control measures while also accepting smoke-free alternatives as aids for quitting smoking. This dual approach of tobacco control and harm reduction is central to their success.

Dr Rachel Kaminski of Saudi German Hospital noted the gaps in cessation support within the UAE, emphasizing the need for dedicated services and insurance-covered treatments. Consultant pulmonologist Dr Mohammad Fawzi Katranji highlighted misconceptions about nicotine, pointing out that shisha and midwakh are not safer than cigarettes, as they also burn tobacco.

Public health professionals at the event discussed concerns about EVALI and popcorn lung, clarifying that regulated nicotine vapes were not responsible for these conditions. Dr Garrett McGovern explained that while nicotine is dependence-forming, it is not the cause of smoking-related diseases.

Suely Castro stressed the importance of making lower-risk alternatives accessible, acceptable, and affordable to help adults quit smoking. Beatriz Santos from We Are Innovation added that public health policies should consider different barriers people face in quitting smoking, adapting successful solutions like those seen in Sweden to suit regional needs.

Source: https://gulfnews.com/uae/health/from-sweden-to-the-uae-a-successful-public-health-model-1.500718441