Opposition to the European Commission's proposal to sharply increase taxes on nicotine pouches is growing. Now the Social Democrats are also criticising the plans, which could mean a tax increase of up to 650% in Sweden.
The Swedish government's opposition to the European Commission's plans to sharply increase taxes on nicotine pouches has been clear since the first proposal was presented in mid-2025. Now, in the midst of ongoing negotiations in Brussels, leading representatives of the Social Democrats are also speaking out against The European Commission's proposal on a common EU tax on nicotine products.
- This is a bad proposal. It risks unilaterally penalising a product that is common here, while others get off more lightly. This is neither logical nor fair. The taxation of white snus should be decided in Sweden, not at EU level. As with traditional snus, the government must defend our national room for manoeuvre," says MEP Sofie Eriksson (S). Skaraborg News.
Controversial proposal on EU tax
Giving the European Commission the right to collect taxes directly at EU level is a first. The idea is that taxes - mainly on nicotine products and large companies - will become a direct part of the financing of the EU's activities. Today, the EU is mainly funded by member states' contributions and customs revenues.
The idea of the EU having its own taxation powers is in itself a controversial issue. It risks leading to ”excessive bureaucratisation” and a loss of competitiveness in the future. Sofie Eriksson is on the same track.
- "We don't want the EU to decide on Swedish taxes," says Sofie Eriksson to Skaraborg News. Elisabeth Tax issues require unanimity. If Svantesson votes no, the proposal falls. Yet the Finance Minister stands and pretends to be powerless, she continues.
Open to changes in the tobacco directive
However, she sees no major problems with the EU revising the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which regulates other aspects of nicotine products in the Union. Among other things, the directive governs the marketing, content, packaging and registration requirements for products authorised on the internal market.
Today, both smoking tobacco and vejp products are covered by the regulations, while newer products such as nicotine pouches and heat-not-burn tobacco are not. These should be included in the same directive, says Sofie Eriksson.
Sweden has the lowest smoking rate in the EU
At the same time, she emphasises the value of smoke-free nicotine products on the market. A snus user herself, she points out that snus has probably contributed to Sweden having significantly fewer smokers than other EU countries - 5.4% compared to an EU average of just over 20%.
- Nicotine is addictive and should be regulated responsibly. "At the same time, we can see that Sweden currently has the lowest proportion of smokers in the EU, while smoking in some other Member States is at very high levels," says Sofie Eriksson.
- This shows that member states have different starting points and traditions. Legislation must take this into account, rather than trying to impose the same model everywhere. Above all, this is an issue that we should decide on ourselves in Sweden.
New tobacco directive expected late in 2026
At present, no new proposal for a revised tobacco directive is on the negotiating table. However, the resolution of the issue of new nicotine taxes is expected to have an impact on this as well, once it materialises. According to information provided to Vejpkollen, a proposal for a new TPD is expected in autumn 2026.
Negotiations on the final tax proposal to be sent to the European Parliament and Sofie Eriksson are ongoing in Brussels. As Vejpkollen previously reported, the proposed tax levels have been slightly reduced for both smoking tobacco and e-liquid since the first draft was presented.
650 per cent tax increase in Sweden
On the other hand, a tax of almost EUR 143 per kilo is set for nicotine pouches. In Swedish terms, where the pouches are currently taxed at the equivalent of around €23 per kilo, this would mean a tax increase of almost 650 per cent.
In real terms, that's about £25 more per box - or around £400 more a month for the average user who consumes around four cans a week.
