Tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, doping and gambling - Objective domain 11

The use of addictive substances is an important determinant of health. The Riksdag and Government have adopted targets for the national public health policy in this area.

• The target of societal efforts in the area of tobacco is to reduce tobacco use.
• The target for societal efforts in the area of alcohol is to reduce the medical and social damage of alcohol.
• The target for societal efforts in the area of narcotics is a society free from illicit drugs.
• The target of societal efforts against problem gambling is to reduce the damage from excessive gambling.
• The target with regard to doping is a society free from doping.

Limiting the negative effects of alcohol, reducing tobacco use and working for a narcotic-free society have long been important public health issues and natural parts of welfare policy. We work to achieve better coordination between different sectors, levels and players and for an increased focus on the connection between the use of the various substances and problem gambling.

As of 2008 the Swedish National Institute of Public Health will be taking on the responsibilities of the National Alcohol Committee and the National Drug Policy Coordinator. The National Alcohol Committee was appointed by the Swedish government to coordinate national efforts and to secure the implementation of the national action plan on alcohol harm reduction. Likewise, the National Drug Policy Coordinator was previously housed within the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and is responsible for implementing and following up the National Action Plan on Narcotic Drugs, as well as for coordinating national drug policy in general.