The decline of smoking in northern Sweden

Abstract

For decades men in Sweden have smoked at far lower rates than those in comparable countries. Previous studies showed that snus use played a major role in low smoking rates among men in northern Sweden; daily smoking declined from 19% (95% CI 16-22%) in 1986 to 11% (CI 8.9-14%) in 1999. The prevalence of smoking among all men is now 9% (CI 7.0-11%) and only 3% (CI 0.1-5.4%) among men age 25-34 years; the prevalence of exclusive snus use is 27% (CI 24-30%) and 34% (CI 27-42%) respectively. Combined smoking and snus use, an unstable and transient category, was under 5% in all surveys and was 2.2% (CI 1.4-3.4%) by 2004. For the first time snus use is also associated with a decrease in smoking prevalence among women. These patterns of tobacco use have implications for all smoking-dominated societies.