On June 1, restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs throughout Sweden open their doors to a breath of fresh air. A smokefree workplace law is the latest step in the country’s long-term efforts to combat the problems of tobacco addiction.

 

There was a time when the cigarette was a stylish appendage to sophistication. In the early 1960s smoking was perceived as tasteful as the fashions and the perils of nicotine were hardly a burning issue in Sweden, as in many other parts of the world.
 
In 1963, 49 per cent of Swedish men and 23 per cent of Swedish women were active smokers. The startlingly high figures sent a shudder through the country’s health campaigners and initiated the move to kick out the habit

Sweden spearheaded tobacco control programmes and became one of the first countries in the world to pump money into public information and education services.

With a proactive track record in preventative measures, Sweden now joins a number of European countries to introduce legislation requiring clean air in bars, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs following the initiatives of Ireland, Norway, Italy and most recently Malta.

Tobacco is the single biggest health risk in Sweden which houses 1.2 million smokers. Around 6,400 people here die prematurely every year as a result of smoking and a further 500 die from exposure to second hand smoke. Twenty years ago those figure were double.

Nowadays, Sweden has one of the lowest smoking rates within Europe. In 1998, Sweden became first country to reach the World Health Organisation’s goal of reducing smoking prevalence to less than 20 per cent of the population. That figure now stands between 17 and 18 per cent.

The significant reduction in smoking rates in Sweden has been achieved by a combination of political means and educational methods dating back over 40 years.   

In the 1960s Sweden became one of the first countries to open clinics offering support to smokers desperate to quit. And in the 1970s Sweden premiered nicotine replacement therapy when researchers developed nicotine chewing gum.

In the same decade, a clampdown on tobacco advertising was implemented and smoking rates first saw a significant drop in Sweden. Cinemas and theatres were banned from promoting tobacco products and outdoor adverts were also prohibited.

Meanwhile, cigarette packets were legally required to advertise the hazards of smoking when health warnings became standard.

Guidelines restricting smoking in public places such as schools, hospitals and public transport were adopted in the 1980s and in 1993 the Tobacco Act came into effect, the first one-stop law housing all previous legislation under one banner. 

The Tobacco Act has been revised numerous times; the 1997 amendment comprised a ban on tobacco sales to minors (under the age of 18) and tighter advertising controls in the media have since been included to bring legislation further in line with the EU directive on tobacco.

When Swedish Parliament passed verdict on the government proposed smokefree workplace law in May 2004, a majority approved by 245 votes to 45. The need to protect the health of personnel was the driving force behind the motion.

“I don't think anyone believes that the right of smokers to smoke is more important than the right for everyone to breath fresh air,” says Margaretha Haglund, head of tobacco control programmes at the Swedish National Institute of Public Health. 

Local opinion also seems to swings in favour of the law. “I think it’s great because I will definitely go to bars and restaurants more often than I do now.” says Ingmarie Magnusson (38) from Stockholm.

“It’s definitely a positive step for Sweden,” says Daniel Franzén (23) originally from Karlstad. “There’s so much emphasis here on creating healthy conditions in the workplace, why should bars and cafes and restaurants be any different?”

The law initially sparked criticism from the Swedish Hotel and Restaurant Association although proprietors have been appeased by the general public’s support. In a study conducted by SHR in April 2005, 98 per cent of those asked said the law will have no bearing on the frequency they visit restaurants, bars, cafes or clubs.

Setting out future goals a 2004 Swedish Public Health Objective states that no-one should be unwillingly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke and aims to half the numbers of smokers in heaviest smoking groups by 2014.

This week, Belgium announced that it will be the next European country to move toward clean indoor air.