As the WHO prepares new restrictions on nicotine products, voices are being raised in the Swedish Parliament to defend Sweden's harm reduction model. "It is unelected bureaucrats who will make the decisions. Sweden must stand up for its policy," says Tobias Andersson (SD).
The tobacco convention is to be revised and according to new information, both the EU delegation and senior officials at the WHO will propose strong measures to reduce access to e-cigarettes, snus and nicotine pouches. The situation is worrying, says Tobias Andersson, Chair of the Committee on commerce
"It is non-elected bureaucrats who represent Sweden. It is therefore very important that we are clear about our view of the importance of harm minimisation in the nicotine market"
Want to spread the Swedish model
The recently appointed Minister for Health, Elisabeth Lann, who is also responsible for the implementation of the nicotine policy, was pressed in Parliament on how she actually instructs the Swedish delegation on Sweden's official position on the nicotine issue.
Tobias Andersson (Swedish Democrats), chair of the Committee on commerce, said that the Swedish model, where smoke-free products such as e-cigarettes and snus are more lightly regulated than smoking tobacco, should be extended to other countries.
"We have introduced new and modern tobacco policy goals where harm reduction takes precedence over a reduction in total consumption. Sweden is seen as a role model internationally with our low tobacco-related mortality, which is due to our low proportion of smokers. This view is not shared by several countries in the EU and we have also seen opposition to white snus within the WHO" said Tobias Andersson.
Authorities are not keeping up
The debate was held in light of the fact that the Public Health Agency, among others, does not use the concept of harm reduction when providing information on snus and e-cigarettes. Officials at the agency have also proposed a study to ban snus use by teachers during working hours.
Tobias Andersson questions how Swedish interests will actually be defended before the WHO.
"Recently, the WHO released a report that talks about harm reduction as a kind of concept "invented" by the tobacco industry. Thats not how we see it; this is the formal part of a Swedish policy position. Here we need clarity from Swedens department of health to make sure this position will influence decisions within the WHO," said Tobias Andersson.
Lack of transparency ahead of the WHO meeting
He also highlighted concerns about the lack of transparency in the run-up to the upcoming meeting on the tobacco convention. Few elected politicians attend the meeting. Only selected interest organisations are allowed to attend in the audience, as well as selected media.
"The COP11 meeting will take place shortly. It is a gathering of non-elected bureaucrats who will decide on recommendations to member countries regarding nicotine products. How does the Minister for Health intend to ensure that our view of harm minimisation influences the WHO's position in the right direction?" Tobias Andersson asked.
Less severe injuries
Minister of health care, Elisabeth Lann, pointed out that opinions are currently divided on the role snus has played in reducing smoking in Sweden.
"But what we do know is that the harmful effects of snus use are much milder than those of smoking. This is a fact we always promote from the Swedish perspective whenever we have the opportunity to do so," said Elisabeth Lann.
At the same time, she asked to come back to the question of how the Swedish delegation will actually handle the COP11 meeting in November.
