Science of Harm Reduction: Lessons from Sweden for the Middle East
Tobacco use remains a significant public health challenge in the Middle East, with approximately 61 million adults consuming tobacco products in 2024, out of a population of roughly 390 million in seven countries: Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Cigarette smoking is deeply ingrained and a leading public health challenge in the region, with WHO projections indicating only a modest decline in smoking prevalence through the mid-2020s.
This highlights the need for complementary, pragmatic tools to reduce the public health burden of smoking, particularly in low and middle-income countries where traditional cessation methods often fail to support most smokers.
Sweden is a best-practice example of how switching away from cigarettes can fundamentally reshape public health trends.
Alexandre Ghanem from BAT notes that the region can learn from Sweden's approach to harm reduction.
Author's summary: Sweden's approach to harm reduction can inform Middle East tobacco control strategies.