- It is gratifying to see that even relatively inexpensive efforts can make such a big difference to human health and at the same time contribute to future savings in the form of reduced healthcare costs, says Christine Lorne (C), chair of the Public Health Commission in the Stockholm region.
According to analyzes of 20 years of data from the Stop Smoking line, the need for support has increased dramatically as policy changes have been made in society. This was noticed, for example, after a campaign on passive smoking in 2001 and when warning texts on cigarette packages became larger in 2002. In recent times, increased tobacco tax and a new type of tobacco have affected the number of calls.
According to the study, telephone counseling has also proven to be a cost-effective alternative to smoking cessation.
The Stockholm region strives to have five percent smokers, which would allow the county to call itself smoke-free. The current figure is seven percent. But that is a bit left over according to Christine Lorne.
- It looks different in the county. In some municipalities, it smokes more, in others less. But we work with targeted efforts in the more vulnerable areas where up to 20 percent smoke, ”she says.