# Cancer death rates hit historic new low across the UK

By Mark Oates — 2026-03-09

Mark Oates, founder of consumer campaign group We Vape, said: “Seeing UK lung cancer death rates fall by 22 per cent is a major public health success and closely tracks the decline in smoking.

“But progress could be much faster.

“Sweden has the lowest smoking rate in Europe and lung cancer death rates around 60 per cent lower than the EU average.

“A key reason is that the Swedish public overwhelmingly uses smoke-free nicotine products instead of combustible cigarettes.

“These include products such as vaping devices and nicotine pouches, which avoid the combustion that makes cigarettes so deadly.

“As the government moves forward with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the priority should be accelerating the move away from cigarettes, not putting unnecessary barriers in the way of safer alternatives.”

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