Snus use in figures
Swedes smoke the least and use the most snus
Sweden was the first country in the Western World to achieve the WHOs goal that the proportion of regular smokers should be lower than 20 percent of the adult population. There are considerable differences in smoking habits, even compared with Sweden’s neighboring countries, particularly as regards men. This can largely be ascribed to the use of snus. Of the Swedish men, 16-84 years, 12 percent smoked on a daily basis and 19 percent used snus daily in 2007. Of the women, 16 percent smoked daily and 4 percent used snus on a daily basis.
The proportion of daily smokers in the Nordic Region in 2007 men and women
Sweden 16-84 yr, Iceland 15-89 yr, Finland 15-64 yr, Norway 16-74 yr and Denmark 13 yr and older.
Sources: Central statistical bureaus in the Nordic region. The Swedish Institute of Public Health, survey spring 2006.
Smoking habits in Sweden 2007, 16-84 years
In spring 2007, 12% of Swedish men smoked on a daily basis (433,000) and just as many smoked occasionally; a total of 24%, or 866,000. Among women, 16% smoked daily (580,000) and 8% occasionally (290,000); a total of 24% or 870,000.
Source: Swedish Institute of Public Health, FHI, and Statistics Sweden, SCB.
Volume changes for cigarettes
Viewed over a longer period, cigarette sales in Sweden have decreased continuously. During 1999–2002, cigarette sales increased slightly, probably due to the tax reduction that came into effect on August 1, 1998 causing a transition from illegal to legal sales as well as to a transfer from rolled tobacco to factory-made cigarettes.
Cigarette sales, millions, with trend line
Source: Swedish Match/National Tax Board
Snus habits in Sweden 2007, 16-84 years
In 2007, the number of snus users (between 16-84 years) totaled approximately 1.2 million, of whom women accounted for one fifth (see below). The number of daily snus users was 831,000. Of the men, 19 percent used snus on a daily basis (685,000) and 7 percent occasionally (253,000).
Source: Swedish Institute of Public Health, FHI, and Statistics Sweden, SCB.
Volume changes for snus
For a long time, snus sales increased while cigarette sales decreased. During 2007, this pattern was broken; both cigarette and snus sales in Sweden declined. A key reason for the sales decrease for snus was that the tobacco tax was increased twice, in January 2006 and 2007, by a total of 173 percent. The tax increases generated significant hoarding, an increase in tax-free sales and a switch from loose snus to portion-packed snus.
Hoarding in December 2006 is estimated to have amounted to approximately 13 million cans, while hoarding in December 2007 is estimated at about 5 million cans.
Swedish Match’s share of the snus market (calculated in cans) amounted to approximately 90 percent in 2007.
Snus sales, millions of cans, with trend line
Source: Swedish Match
How many people use snus?
The number of snus users (between ages 16 and 84) amounted to 1.2 million in 2007, of whom one in five was a woman (see below). The number of daily snus users was 831,000. Of the men, 19% used snus on a daily basis (686,000) and 7% occasionally (253,000).
Source: Swedish Institute of Public Health, FHI, and Statistics Sweden, SCB.
Flows and age structure
Increasing numbers of smokers are choosing to switch to snus. Of those that use snus on a daily basis, 47% are former smokers. The flow in the other direction – from snus to daily use of cigarettes – is considerably lower. Of the daily smokers, 7% are former snus users.
Cigarette smoking ==> snus = 47%
Snus ==> cigarette smoking = 7%
The average age of daily snus users is 40 years among men and 39 among women.
Source: Temo/Synovate*
Viewed over a ten-year period, the percentage of all snus users in the older age groups has increased, while that in the younger age groups has decreased.
| |
1995 |
2006 |
| 16-29 år |
33 % |
25 % |
| 30-49 år |
45 % |
48 % |
| 50-75 år |
22 % |
24 % |
| 16-75 år |
100 % |
100 % |
Source: Temo 1995 and 2005/2006*
Women snus consumers
The number of women in Sweden (16-84 years) that use snus has increased more than fivefold since 1988/1989. At that time, 44,000 admitted to using snus (0.6% daily and 0.7% occasionally). When the Swedish Institute of Public Health, FHI, conducted a survey of tobacco habits in spring 2007, 4% of the women admitted to using snus on a daily basis and 3% occasionally; a total of 255,000 women.
The number of women snus users, 16-84 years
| 1988/89 |
44,000 |
| 1996/97 |
70,000 |
| 2004/05 |
175,000 |
| 2007 |
250,000 |
Sources: 1988-2005, Statistics Sweden, SCB; 2007, Swedish Institute of Public Health, FHI.
Among women snus users (daily), the number of former smokers is 59%. The flow in the other direction – from snus to daily use of cigarettes – is 3%.
Cigarette smoking ==> snus = 59%
Snus ==> cigarette smoking = 3%
Source: Temo/Synovate*
Success factor in smoking cessation
Several surveys have confirmed the role of snus in helping people to stop smoking. The Cancer Fund and pharmaceutical company, Pharmacia, conducted a survey in 2001 among those who were successful in quitting smoking and found that 33% used snus when trying to stop, compared with 17% that used nicotine aids. Other surveys have reported similar results.
Source: Cancer Fund/Pharmacia 2001
Proportion of daily smokers in the Nordic region in a European perspective
| Men |
|
Women |
|
Total |
|
| Sweden |
13 |
Portugal |
9 (1) |
Sweden |
15 |
| Iceland |
19 |
Cyprus |
10 |
Iceland |
19 |
| Switzerland |
24 |
Lithuania |
14 |
Portugal |
20 (1) |
| Ireland |
24 |
Slovakia |
15 |
Finland |
22 |
| Finland |
26 |
Sweden |
17 |
Switzerland |
22 |
| Norway |
26 |
Italy |
17 |
Malta |
23 |
| UK |
27 (1) |
Finland |
18 |
Cyprus |
24 |
| Denmark |
28 |
Malta |
18 |
Italy |
24 |
| Slovenia |
28 |
Latvia |
18 |
Slovenia |
24 |
| Malta |
30 |
Island |
19 |
Ireland |
24 |
| Belgium |
30 |
Switzerland |
20 |
Norway |
25 |
| Netherlands |
31 |
Slovenia |
20 |
Denmark |
25 |
| Czech Republic |
31 |
Czech Republic |
20 |
Czech Republic |
25 |
| Italy |
31 |
Estonia |
21 |
UK |
25 (1) |
| Portugal |
33 (1) |
Denmark |
23 |
Lithuania |
27 |
| France |
33 |
Norway |
24 |
Belgium |
27 |
| Germany |
37 (1) |
Ireland |
24 |
Estonia |
28 |
| Poland |
38 |
UK |
24 (1) |
Netherlands |
28 |
| Cyprus |
38 |
Belgium |
25 |
Latvia |
30 |
| Luxemburg |
39 |
Netherlands |
25 |
France |
30 |
| Spain |
39 |
Spain |
25 |
Slovakia |
32 |
| Lithuania |
39 |
France |
26 |
Spain |
32 |
| Hungary |
40 |
Poland |
26 |
Poland |
32 |
| Slovakia |
41 |
Luxemburg |
26 |
Luxemburg |
33 |
| Estonia |
42 |
Hungary |
28 |
Hungary |
34 |
| Greece |
47 |
Greece |
29 |
Germany |
34 (1) |
| Latvia |
47 |
Germany |
30 (1) |
Greece |
38 |
| Austria |
48 (1) |
Austria |
46 (1) |
Austria |
47 (1) |
Sources: WHO, Regional Office for Europe (http://data.euro.who.int/Default.aspx?TabID=2444), most recent data available, March 2006, and official statistics for the Nordic countries 2005. Swedish Institute of Public Health, survey spring of 2005.
The figures shall be used with caution since the surveys were not conducted during the same year and the age groups vary.
(1) Other definition than daily smoker; for example, regular smokers is the term used by the four countries marked with (1).
*) Source: Temo/SynovatePertains to Temo/Synovate's postal omnibus for 2005/2006, in which approximately 12,000 people between the ages of 16 and 75 responded to questions on their smoking habits and Temo/Synovate's postal consumer survey during the years 1995 – 2005/2006 (pertaining to women snus users). Statistically, the survey comprised approximately 6.4 million Swedes.