In Sweden today, only about 5% of men smoke. In Uzbekistan, however, this figure is close to 20% — every fifth man.
As emphasized in a recently published report, the success lay not in the discipline of Swedish society, but in the state's wise policy choices.
Instead of a complete ban on tobacco products, the Swedish government offered legal, less harmful, but strictly regulated alternatives such as vapes, snus, and nicotine pouches.
This has curbed illicit trade and reduced health impacts and medical costs.
In Uzbekistan, however, nicotine pouches are banned, yet the illicit market is open, vaping is also planned to be banned, and nasvay is sold freely. It has been noted that approximately 30,000 people die from smoking-related causes each year.
As the report's authors emphasized, banning is easy, but it is not control — it is an illusion.
Sweden, however, has demonstrated that its harm reduction model works.
