The EU is considering banning nicotine pouches, also known as white snus, even though they are a significantly less harmful alternative to cigarettes. Sweden must act to defend snus and its positive effects on public health.
I DN On February 8, it is reported that The EU is considering a total ban on white snus. The article reveals a number of things about how the EU evaluates white snus and how Swedish authorities refrain from defending the Swedish model that has led to the world's lowest proportion, just over 5%, of daily smokers.
The article states that:
-Open Evidence, a consultancy advising the European Commission, believes that “the existing EU snus ban has been good for public health and for the single market. Therefore, the ban should be extended to nicotine pouches.”
-The Swedish authorities have declined to participate in the investigation of a possible ban.
-Sweden has very little chance of getting a national exemption for nicotine pouches in the same way as we have for snus.
DEBATING ARTICLE
The facts are that there are around 100 million daily smokers in the EU and around 700,000 of these die annually from smoking-related diseases. In Sweden, where snus, nicotine pouches, e-cigs, etc. are allowed, mortality from smoking-related cancers and heart and lung diseases is by far the lowest in Europe. At the same time, Swedes consume as much nicotine as the average European because in Sweden we use snus instead of smoking. Internationally, this phenomenon is known as “The Swedish Experience”, which means that a very large proportion of the population has chosen less dangerous nicotine products instead of cigarettes.
So there is good reason to believe that if Europeans used snus as much as Swedes, hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved every year. Despite this, Swedish authorities choose to remain silent when the European Commission is advised to ban nicotine pouches, which are the only snus product allowed in the rest of Europe (but where some countries have already introduced bans).
Swedish and European politicians need to be reminded that nicotine itself is not carcinogenic. It is highly addictive, but so are other stimulants such as caffeine. Addictive products may be considered regrettable, but as long as they do not contribute to increased mortality or other serious consequences for society, the decision to use them should be up to the individual.
A European ban on tobacco-free snus would probably make it impossible for the rest of Europe to ever achieve such a low proportion of daily smokers as in Sweden and Norway. For Sweden, it would also increase the risk of smoking increasing.
Rather than standing silently by, Sweden should step forward on this important issue, where we have a great deal of knowledge, and advocate that the EU adopt our very successful policy. It could then also be involved in closing the gaps that still exist in Swedish legislation. In 2022, a comprehensive white snus law was introduced that; introduced an official age limit, significantly restricts permitted marketing, sets tough requirements for both the production and labeling of white snus. What was not introduced, however, was a maximum limit for the amount of nicotine, which made it possible for rogue players on the market to compete over how much nicotine can be put into a barrel of white snus.
Bengt Wiberg
Founder of EUforsnus with members from 100 countries where approximately 85% have succeeded in quitting smoking using snus or nicotine pouches. Bengt is also the inventor of a new kind of portion bag for snus and tobacco-free snus to protect gums from burning and irritation.