Sweden’s smoke-free success inspires UAE public health
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Quit Like Sweden (QLS), a public health initiative founded by Suely Castro, hosted an event in Dubai to share Sweden’s success in becoming the only smoke-free country in Europe, achieving this 16 years before the EU’s 2040 goal.
QLS studies the strategies behind this achievement, which involved embracing both tobacco control measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and harm reduction through smoke-free alternatives.
These alternatives must be accessible, acceptable, and affordable to provide viable options for adults looking to quit smoking. The UAE already regulates e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches for adults, but faces challenges with expatriates bringing habits from their home countries. Doctors in the UAE, like Dr Rachel Kaminski of Saudi German Hospital, note a lack of adequate cessation support for patients, including insurance coverage and realistic alternatives for those unable to quit completely.
Misconceptions surrounding nicotine and the relative harm of different tobacco products also hinder efforts to reduce smoking rates. Experts clarified common misunderstandings during the event. They explained that the 2019 US EVALI outbreak stemmed from contaminated cannabis products, not regulated nicotine vapes, and that “popcorn lung” is not linked to vaping. They also emphasized that nicotine itself is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases, but rather the tar in tobacco smoke.
QLS advocates for acknowledging diverse barriers to quitting and providing multiple pathways to help individuals find what works best for them, as Sweden did by offering both snus and nicotine pouches to different demographics.
