Innovative policies bring significant changes, the "ReThink" conference is held in Belgrade: Let's learn from Sweden
2024-11-22 14:22:47
TiranaPost
"Sweden was one of the few countries in the world that took a new and realistic approach to tobacco, and it turned out to be the right one. Sweden has a unique strategy for managing smoking, which has set it on the path to becoming the first smoke-free country in Europe."
This is what Patrik Hildingsson, Vice President of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Swedish Match, the world's largest manufacturer of oral nicotine products, said during the conference "ReThink: Learning from Sweden", organized by Philip Morris in Belgrade.
"Since the 70s, Sweden changed direction in tobacco policies and started using its traditions again — oral nicotine products like snus, and nicotine patches. This helped us reduce smoking rates to around 5%, the lowest in Europe. Most importantly, we have the lowest rates of smoking-related diseases, including oral and lung cancers," added Hildingsson, emphasizing the importance of innovation and alternative products in the fight against tobacco.
Sweden's example should serve as an inspiration to other countries facing challenges in the fight against smoking. This was the key message from Tommaso Di Giovanni, Vice President of International Communications at Philip Morris International (PMI).
"For such practices to have a strong positive impact on global public health, innovative policies are needed that encourage smokers who are unwilling to give up nicotine to switch to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes. Also, companies should invest and further develop these alternatives," said Di Giovanni. He stressed that while industry drives change, other actors must also be involved — regulators, health organizations, NGOs and the scientific community.
Di Giovanni cited examples from countries such as Japan, New Zealand and Sweden, which have halved the number of smokers within eight years.
"These countries have shown that traditional anti-tobacco measures, focused on prohibition, have not been as effective. The significant reduction in smoking rates is a result of the concept of harm reduction and allowing for less harmful alternatives, which are scientifically supported,'' he added.
Speakers also emphasized the importance of reduced risk products being recognized by globally recognized health institutions. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), based on numerous scientific studies, authorized in 2019 and reaffirmed this year that the use of snus from Swedish Match instead of cigarettes has a lower risk of contracting certain diseases related to smoking. The FDA made this decision based on its standard that providing this information to consumers and allowing the product on the market may promote public health.
With the acquisition of Swedish Match, Philip Morris expanded its portfolio in this product category, offering adult smokers less harmful alternatives to cigarettes.
In these complex times we live in, this is an example of a company that stands the test of time by embracing change - according to Magnus Lindkvist, author and personality known for his predictions on life, economics, social issues and the future. Emphasizing that innovation is the 'X factor' for tomorrow.
"Nothing fantastic will happen if you don't take risks. Identify specific and interesting cases that you can change. Look for solutions to current problems, and act instead of trying to be perfect," Lindkvist concluded.
