Snus cans banned, fewer shops to shop in and higher prices for smokeless nicotine products - this could become a reality if the European Commission's line goes through when the WHO revises its tobacco convention. Now the industry organisation Convenience Stores Sweden warns that Swedish consumers risk both reduced access and increased black markets.
The European Commission not only wants to increase taxes on smokeless nicotine products but also reduce the number of shops authorised to sell them. This is the Commission's position ahead of the upcoming WHO meeting on the tobacco convention. The industry organisation Convenience Stores Sweden warns that thousands of small businesses are at risk and that the black market for nicotine products is growing.
- Forcing closures by limiting the number of outlets would wipe out thousands of small businesses, eliminate jobs and reduce tax revenues. These retailers carry out age checks and keep sales legal. Removing them would leave the market to criminals," said Bengt Hedlund, CEO of Convenience Stores Sweden.
WHO convention could be extended
The WHO's tobacco convention has so far aimed to reduce smoking worldwide. However, ahead of this year's meeting, which will be held at the end of November, several member countries and stakeholder organisations want to include smokeless nicotine products in the framework.
Proposals include higher taxation, bans on flavourings, restrictions on ease of use and various forms of user bans. Signatories to the Convention are expected to comply with the directives adopted under the agreement, which is reviewed every two years.
As a member of the EU, Sweden is represented at the meeting by the European Commission, which represents the Union's common line.
”The EU line does not reflect the Swedish model”
According to Mr Hedlund, the European Commission's approach contrasts with Sweden's approach to tobacco and nicotine.
Among other things, the Commission favours a ban on cigarette filters, a ban on single-use plastics in packaging, restrictions on in-store signage, and a so-called ”generational ban” - whereby people born after a certain year would never be allowed to buy nicotine products, regardless of their age.
- Banning sales to people born after a certain date has zero success in reality. New Zealand tried - and withdrew it. The only winners will be criminal networks. The losers are the retailers, governments that lose tax revenue and small shops that lose their lifeline," says Bengt Hedlund.
Small shops may be forced to close
Bengt Hedlund believes that the European Commission's proposal would be devastating for business, not least in Sweden, where many small shops are already struggling with heavily regulated products.
- Bans on retailer incentives, as they are called, can be devastating. "These incentives keep small shops viable in a highly regulated market. If they are removed, many risk going bankrupt," says Bengt Hedlund.
He also warns that banning cigarette filters and disposable plastics could have both practical and health consequences.
- Filter bans drag smokers back to the 1950s. There are no safe cigarettes, but filters reduce the concentration of harmful substances. Calling a filter ban a step forward for the environment is irresponsible. The Single-Use Plastics Directive already addresses the issue through producer responsibility - not through a ban.
Hitting snus - and consumers
In addition, for the Swedish market, a ban on single-use plastics would directly affect snus.
- A ban on single-use plastic in snus cans risks making current packaging illegal. It would create problems for both retailers and consumers in terms of handling, shelf life and location," Bengt Hedlund told Convenience Stores Sweden News.
Harm minimisation versus prohibition policy
According to Bengt Hedlund, the European Commission's view is that all nicotine use should be reduced, regardless of differences in harmful effects between different products. This goes directly against Sweden's tobacco policy, which has long been based on the principle of harm minimisation.
The research shows that smoke-free alternatives such as snus and e-cigarettes are significantly less harmful than cigarettes. Despite this, the discussion on harm minimisation is something that the Commission dismisses as a ”narrative from the tobacco companies”.
- We expect the government to act forcefully against this mandate and clarify the successful Swedish model, where adult smokers can easily opt out of cigarettes. Limiting the number of independent retailers cannot be a successful path for a Swedish government," said Bengt Hedlund.
I don't snuff now (have done) in my younger days, but this is typical of the EU, isn't it? Soon they will have a few hundred extra on spirits, it does not make sense for them with all the J-la subsidies they hand out! We should raise on Wine and Beer let's see what the bigwigs in Germany and France say then?
I smoked from the age of 16 but switched to snuff when I was 28, I am now 85 years old and am convinced that if I had continued to smoke I would have been dead many years ago, smoking damaged my airways so I got asthma.