Bans and restrictions on nicotine pouches are spreading across Europe. Meanwhile, a Swedish minister is getting unexpected support from snus users - and is being celebrated in a viral campaign that is now approaching 5 000 shares. Now, the Swedish National Federation of Snus Consumers is highlighting Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa as a role model.
First it was Spain. Then France. And most recently Austria. Several countries are restricting access to nicotine pouches in different ways - and each time a Swedish minister has been in the spotlight. Now Benjamin Dousa is being honoured by the Swedish consumer association Snusarnas Riksförbund.
- "It's really unusual for a politician to stand up so clearly in defence of us snus users and snus as a phenomenon. Many of our members are directly affected by all these bans that are being imposed on the EU, and the fact that a minister is on our side gives us the strength to fight a little harder," says Samuel Lundell, a publicist from Götene and chairman of the Swedish Snus Association.
Viral campaign: ”Share for Dousa”
To highlight Benjamin Dousa's achievements, the national association has launched a social media campaign. With the headline ”Share for Dousa” and a picture of the minister sitting in a Viking boat filled to the brim with white snuff boxes - wearing armour and a horned helmet - the post has spread quickly.
At the time of writing, the picture has been shared 4,000 times on Facebook, which pleases Samuel Lundell.
- We wrote to Benjamin Dousa and asked him how many shares it would take for him to put on a helmet and tuck in a fart in public. The answer was 5 000. Now we're almost there," he tells Vejpkollen.
Behind the humour is the seriousness
Behind the campaign, however, is a more serious issue. Over one million Swedes use snus, both brown and white. The nicotine portions, which in practice are as much a Swedish product as tobacco snus, are not covered by any special legislation in the EU. At the same time, campaigns are under way in several countries to ban the products completely.
- "We see an attack on a broad front. It is an attack on Swedish snus companies, Swedish jobs and the Swedish way of life," says Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (M) to Aftonbladet.
May affect Swedes across the EU
According to him, the bans in Spain and France, for example, risk directly affecting Swedes travelling within the EU.
- "The legislation threatens the freedom of Swedes to live as they normally would on holiday, while studying abroad or working on the continent," he says.
Benjamin Dousa has been campaigning for harm reduction in the nicotine market in recent years. It is well recognised that smoking causes illness and death, both for users and for those exposed to second-hand smoke. He argues that white snus as an alternative can be positive for public health.
- "If a smoker quits smoking and chooses white snus instead, it is actually a health gain. That's why Sweden has one of the lowest tobacco-related mortality rates in Europe," he told Aftonbladet.
From grassroots initiative to strong voice
Samuel Lundell founded the Swedish Snus Association in 2022 in response to several policy proposals that risked making snus more difficult to access - both in the EU and in Sweden. Today, the association has almost 8,000 members and has become a clear consumer voice on nicotine policy issues.
- Snus has always been a product that politicians use to win votes. Unfortunately, it is more and more often about restricting use, which is appreciated by health authorities and those who want all nicotine to be classed as medicines or similar. We're seeing the same sentiment around e-cigarettes and other products that actually keep people smoke-free.
- We want to turn this around and make politicians realise the importance of easy and cheap access to nicotine that does not shorten life.
Criticism and stigmatisation
And it seems to work - at least in Sweden. In many other parts of the world, consumer organisations promoting harm reduction are rarely part of the debate. Instead, they are often accused of serving the tobacco industry or favouring political interests.
So does the Swedish Snus Association.
- Of course, we receive comments on our engagement. But for us, answering questions about funding is simple. Our activities are entirely financed by our members. Decisions are made by the Board, which in turn implements the agenda we decide on at the annual meeting," says Mr Lundell.
”We are non-partisan”
But it's an election year and Benjamin Dousa represents the Conservatives. Will the campaign be part of the election campaign?
- One might think so, and there are those in the association who react like that. And of course I, who am actually a Social Democrat, feel that more Social Democrats should stand alongside Mr Dousa on this issue.
- But we are non-partisan and fight for the rights of all snus users. Right now, we share views with a moderate minister - that's just the way it is. We urge politicians from all camps to do the same.
At the time of writing, the post has reached 4 700 shares.
For those who use Facebook, it is possible to read and share it here:
National Snus Association - Facebook
Other sources in this article:
Benjamin ”snus” Dousa speaks out against European snus bans
