Why do you think that snus should be legal in the whole European Union on top of nicotine pouches?
The legalization of snus within the European Market would not only be an important factor in decreasing the cases of cigarette addictions, which, according to the general medical consensus might lead to serious health complications. Scientific evidence indicates that nicotine pouches including snus are less dangerous than their smoking counterpart. Therefore, permitting the sale of snus would make it possible for consumers to choose a healthier choice, thus, reducing the severe effects sustained on public health due to tobacco usage.
Why do you think the EU differentiates between snus and chewing tobacco, while the two of these are basically the same product?
As you indicated, chewing tobacco is authorized to be sold and purchased on the common market, whilst snus is criminalized. Your question excellently highlights the hypocrisy regarding the matter at hand. Why is snus illegal although other similar products (including chewing tobacco) aren't seeing the same strict regulations? This specific targeting of snus is not reasonable and must change.
Johan Nissinen
Johan Nissinen was born in 1989 in Värnamo, southern Sweden. He was elected to the European Parliament in 2022 as a member of the social conservative-nationalist Sweden Democrats. He is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament and is a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality and the Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee. He regularly raises the issue of snus in her committees and asks questions to the European Commission and the Swedish government, and also seeks to engage in debates on snus and nicotine tobacco on social media.
In a recently published report called “The Swedish Experience: A Roadmap for a Smoke Free Society” it was stated that Sweden will most likely be the first country in the EU to become smoke-free. Do you think the allowed usage of snus has a part in this achievement? Would you recommend this path to other countries as well?
Smoking kills, and snus saves lives. Only 6% of Swedes are smokers, contrary to Hungary where one in four people smoke. The conclusion that snus is lowering the percentage of smokers is easily drawn.
Last November, some rumours surfaced about the EU wanting to force Sweden to raise the tax for snus, but it was later clarified that Sweden can retain the right to set the tax on this product. Do you think it would be a fair compromise, if snus was legal in all EU member states, but the taxation would be universal in every country?
The possible compromise which you have mentioned would not be viewed favourably. Each member state should be allowed to construct their proper model in which they wish to act, it is not a matter for the European Union in this case. So, to conclude, a regulated European tax on snus would infringe on this principle of each member states choosing its direction regarding public health.
Philip Morris International, a company that is dedicated to harm reduction, recently bought Swedish Match, which mostly produces snus and other smoke-free tobacco products. Do you think this is going to affect the acceptance of snus?
This particular purchase is gripping. However, whether it is going to influence the public view on snus is debatable. We can only hope and wish that this will help bring snus to the international market, hoping that Philip Morris International does not forget the authentic Swedish way of snus-making.
Snus, chewing tobacco, nicotine tobacco
Snus is a tobacco product developed in Sweden in the early 18th century. The pouches containing tobacco are placed between the upper lip and the gums for prolonged periods, where they can cause irritation and lesions. It is banned for sale in the European Union outside Sweden.
Chewing tobacco is a very similar product to snus, but without the tobacco packed in pouches. Instead, the consumer can choose how much tobacco to put in his or her mouth.
Nicotine pouches are essentially a new generation of snus, but with the important difference that this technology does not contain tobacco. The same technological breakthrough as for e-cigarette refills was needed to produce nicotine pouches: figuring out how to extract the nicotine from tobacco leaves and crystallise it into nicotine salt. They added natural fibres, food fillers and flavourings, salt and water and put them in small sachets to create the nicotine pouch. This is also placed on the gums, but does not cause the irritation of the former.
Cover photo: illustration via Adobe Stock
The Hungarian version of this article appeared in the 2023/05 issue of Tobacco Magazine.
