Cameroon, like many countries, grapples with the challenges of tobacco use and its deleterious effects on public health. Yet, a brighter future is possible—a smoke-free Cameroon where tobacco-related diseases and deaths are drastically reduced. Sweden has shown that this vision can become a reality.
On November 13, 2024 Sweden achieved a historic milestone by officially becoming “smoke-free,” with only 4.5% of its Swedish-born adults smoking. This achievement came 16 years ahead of the European Union’s target and stands in stark contrast to Europe’s average smoking rate of 24%. For Cameroon, the lessons from Sweden’s success offer a clear path toward a healthier, smoke-free society.
At the heart of Sweden’s triumph is its forward-thinking, harm-reduction approach to tobacco control. Rather than focusing solely on prohibition, Sweden embraced safer nicotine alternatives such as snus, oral nicotine pouches, and vaping products. These alternatives were made legally accessible, affordable, and widely available.
Dr. Anders Milton, a former president of the Swedish Medical Association, highlights the importance of this strategy: “By prioritizing harm reduction, Sweden provided smokers with viable alternatives that significantly reduced their health risks. This pragmatic approach has delivered extraordinary public health benefits.”
Key policies supporting Sweden’s harm-reduction model included:
- Public Education Campaigns: Awareness initiatives empowered people to make healthier choices.
- Proportional Excise Taxes: Smoke-free products were taxed at lower rates than cigarettes, making them more affordable for consumers.
- Legal Support for Safer Products: Sweden ensured that safer nicotine options were legally available in stores and online.
The impact has been profound. Sweden now has the lowest tobacco-related disease rates in the EU and a 41% lower incidence of smoking -related cancers compared to other European countries.
In Cameroon, the smoking rate remains high, posing significant public health and economic challenges. Tobacco-related diseases not only strain the healthcare system but also rob families of breadwinners and productive years of life.
To reverse this trend, Cameroon can adopt Sweden’s harm-reduction approach. By promoting safer nicotine products such as nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes, the country can provide smokers with less harmful alternatives. A proportional tax system, similar to Sweden’s, would ensure that these products are affordable, encouraging smokers to switch.
Additionally, targeted public education campaigns could play a critical role in shifting perceptions about smoking and harm reduction and encourage a culture shift. Beyond health, pursuing a smoke-free Cameroon also has significant economic implications. Tobacco-related diseases currently cost the country significantly in healthcare expenses and lost productivity. Reducing smoking rates would alleviate this burden, freeing up resources for other pressing national priorities.
Sweden’s achievement is a wake-up call for nations around the world. As Smoke Free Sweden, an advocacy group, puts it succinctly: “Sweden’s success is living proof that alternative nicotine products are a powerful force for positive change when supported by evidence-based policies.”
For Cameroon, the message is clear: tobacco harm reduction as a public health policy works. By adopting a progressive, science-backed approach to tobacco control, Cameroon can reduce smoking prevalence, save lives, and build a healthier society.
A smoke-free Cameroon is not just a dream—it is an achievable goal. Sweden has provided a proven roadmap, demonstrating that pragmatic policies and harm reduction can deliver remarkable public health outcomes.
Cameroon has a unique opportunity to create a future where smoking is no longer a public health crisis. The tools to achieve this are readily available, and the moment to take decisive action is now. Cameroon has the chance to become a beacon of hope for Africa, setting an example and leading the way toward a smoke-free continent.
By Dr. Akinwande Puddicombe – Public Health Expert
