Sweden, which has the lowest smoking rate in the European Union, is close to declaring itself a smoke-free country - that is, one in which less than 5% of the population smokes every day.

 This is stated in the publication of the AR agency.

 On Wednesday, the World Health Organization celebrates World No Tobacco Day. Many experts point out that Sweden's low smoking rate comes after decades of anti-tobacco campaigns and legislation.

 Some point to the prevalence of "snus", a smokeless tobacco product banned in other EU countries but sold in Sweden as an alternative to cigarettes.

 According to statistics agency Eurostat, in 2019 only 6.4% of Swedes aged 15 and over smoked daily, which is the lowest rate in the EU and far below the average of 18.5% in the 27 EU countries.

 Current data from the Swedish Public Health Agency show that smoking rates have continued to decline since then. It reached 5.6% last year.