Sweden close to becoming first ‘smoke-free’ country in Europe

People enjoy drinks and snacks in the evening sun on a terrace overlooking Stockholm (AP)

Sweden is close to declaring itself “smoke-free” – defined as having fewer than 5% daily smokers in the population.

Some experts have said Sweden’s rate of smoking – the lowest in the Europe Union – is down to decades of anti-smoking campaigns and legislation, while others point to the prevalence of “snus”, a smokeless tobacco product banned elsewhere in the EU but marketed in Sweden as an alternative to cigarettes.