Sweden’s smoking rate is falling this year, putting the country on course to become Europe’s first smoke-free nation and likely to pass the World Health Organization’s 5% threshold, Gulf News reports. Last year the daily smoking rate dropped to 5.2%, down sharply from 15% in 2005 — a change credited to sustained public-health campaigns and a widespread move to lower-risk nicotine products like snus and tobacco-free pouches.

About 18% of Swedes now use snus or similar products. While not risk-free, experts say these alternatives are far less harmful than cigarettes. Over the past decade daily smoking has declined by 55%, accompanied by a 38% fall in tobacco-related deaths among men and a 41% drop in lung cancer cases.

Public-health specialists point to Sweden’s mix of regulation, clear messaging and availability of safer alternatives — underpinned by high social trust — as a potential roadmap for other countries aiming to reduce smoking rates.

This article was adapted from an original report published on tobaccoreporter.com. All rights belong to the original publisher.