In a bold public health move, the Danish Government has unveiled plans to provide free smoking cessation medication to heavy smokers and cancer patients who continue to smoke. The initiative is part of a new cancer plan and will be funded with DKK 21 million (approximately EUR 2.8 million) over the next three years, from 2025 to 2027.
Smoking still widespread and deadly in Denmark
According to figures from the Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen), 17% of Danes over the age of 15 smoke daily, a habit strongly linked to various chronic diseases and the leading risk factor for cancer development.
“We have long worked to make smoking cessation an integrated part of cancer treatment,” said Jesper Fisker, CEO of Kræftens Bekæmpelse (the Danish Cancer Society), calling the new government proposal “a wise investment in both life and quality of life.”
Local municipalities to distribute medication
The plan will allow municipalities across Denmark to provide prescription smoking cessation medications—such as varenicline, which reduces nicotine cravings—free of charge to eligible individuals. These drugs will be offered as part of municipal smoking cessation programs, which are already widely available throughout the country. Local authorities will determine the relevance of the treatment on a case-by-case basis.
According to the Ministry of Health, the goal is to make quitting smoking a standard part of cancer care packages, thereby increasing the number of patients who receive cessation support during their treatment.
Addressing low survival rates for lung cancer
The new plan also arrives amid growing concerns about stagnant cancer survival rates, especially for lung cancer, one of the most lethal forms of the disease. A recent report by the Health Data Authority (Sundhedsdatastyrelsen) shows that only 30% of lung cancer patients in Denmark are alive five years after diagnosis.
Health Minister Sophie Løhde (Venstre) emphasized the urgency of early detection and prevention, stating: “Time is often a crucial factor in determining whether someone can successfully recover from cancer.”
Despite the challenges, there has been progress. Between 2009 and 2023, five-year survival rates for lung cancer improved significantly—from 18% to 34% for women, and from 13% to 26% for men. The government has already launched a pilot project on lung cancer screening and is evaluating whether to roll out a national screening program.
Strategic push for healthier lifestyles
The Danish Government’s proposal reflects a broader strategy to reduce smoking rates and improve public health outcomes. By offering medical support free of charge, officials hope to remove economic barriers that often prevent vulnerable groups from accessing treatment.
“The latest figures on cancer survival underline the need to maintain a strong focus on cancer care and to continue developing this area,” Løhde added.
If implemented effectively, the plan could serve as a model for other countries grappling with high smoking rates and cancer-related mortality.
