A nicotine revolution is taking place in Norway, where snus—a smokeless tobacco product—is steadily replacing cigarettes.
Over the past two decades, smoking rates have nosedived from 25 percent of the adult population in 2005 to just 7 percent today. Among young adults aged 16-24, the change is even more drastic, with only 3 percent smoking daily, while 16 percent now regularly use snus.
This shift mirrors Sweden’s success, where snus has long been a cornerstone of tobacco harm reduction. Sweden boasts some of the lowest rates of smoking-related illnesses, a feat often attributed to its widespread adoption of smokeless nicotine products.
Norway’s plummeting smoking rates are due to widespread substitution of deadly combustible cigarettes for much safer snus.
In both countries, this trend is driven by consumers opting for reduced-risk alternatives, despite minimal official support from public health agencies.
“Consumers are leading this change by choosing reduced-risk products independently,” said MacKintosh. “Despite minimal endorsement from public health authorities, snus is driving a transformation in how nicotine is consumed, helping reduce tobacco-related harm.”
Unlike traditional cigarettes, snus delivers nicotine without combustion, removing many of the carcinogens and toxins responsible for tobacco related diseases.
Research from organisations like GSTHR highlights that smokeless nicotine products signifi cantly reduce the risk of illnesses associated with smoking, including lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Norwegian authorities, however, remain hesitant to actively promote snus use…critics argue that this caution reflects a reluctance to fully embrace harm reduction strategies, which often face resistance due to lingering stigma around any nicotine product.
Yet, Norway’s declining smoking rates provide a powerful case study in how safer alternatives can drive public health improvements. With smoking now at historic lows, the country continues to move closer to a smoke-free future. Experts believe this success may encourage other nations to rethink their approach to harm reduction, paving the way for broader acceptance of smokeless alternatives.
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