More expensive white snus, tougher rules and a policy increasingly based on zero tolerance. The EU's new proposals on nicotine taxes are provoking strong reactions. There is now growing criticism that both policymakers and industry.
”It completely ignores the importance of smoke-free products for consumers who have opted out of smoking,” says MEP Charlie Weimers.
A five-fold tax on nicotine products would be politically impossible in Sweden. This is the view of MEP Charlie Weimers (S&D), who is launching a fierce attack on the European Commission's proposal for new nicotine taxes. At the same time, he urges tobacco companies to take the battle and the debate a step further.
- You have become too complacent and accepting. You are passive spectators in the debate about harm reduction nicotine products. The initiative today lies with moralists. And that can cost lives.” he said in a speech at the World Nicotine Congress organised in Brussels.
Could directly affect over a million Swedes
The European Commission wants to raise taxes on smokeless nicotine products significantly. For Swedish users, this could mean much more expensive nicotine pouches - but the resistance is massive and the outcome is clear, says Charle Weimers.
- "The proposal is politically dead in Sweden," says the MEP, who has long been involved in the issue of harm reduction in the nicotine market.
The proposal is to increase excise duty from around €20 to €107 per kilo - a five-fold increase.
This would have a direct impact on over one million Swedes who use white snus and nicotine pouches. The result: higher prices in shops and fewer cheap alternatives.
- No Swedish government would survive such a tax increase," Mr Weimers told Brussels Signal.
Sweden can put a stop to it
According to Mr Weimers, the proposal has no support in Sweden - regardless of the political regime.
- We have our veto. This will not go through," he says.
Sweden is also expected to receive support from other EU countries. Italy and Greece are identified as key allies.
The call: “Road users and snus users must go together”
But politics is only part of the battle, says Mr Weimers. He is now also calling on users to organise across national borders.
- We need an alliance of vejp users and snus users across the EU, otherwise decisions will continue to be taken over our heads," says Mr Weimers.
Smoke-free products challenge cigarettes
Nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes have quickly become real competitors to cigarettes across the EU.
It also means that policy decisions on taxation and regulation have greater consequences - not least for consumers who have actively opted out of smoking in favour of vejpning and (white) snus.
Harm reduction vs zero tolerance - conflict in the EU
Behind the tax proposal is a larger ideological conflict: should policy focus on reducing harm - or stopping all nicotine use?
- "Research clearly shows that smokeless products are significantly less harmful than cigarettes," says Mr Weimers.
- But today, a zero-tolerance approach dominates.
He argues that EU policy is increasingly based on abstinence, with high taxes, bans and stigma used to push down all nicotine use.
Compare with sex education
Weimers draws a clear parallel:
- Humans are not perfect. We insist on doing stupid things that we think make life a bit more fun, whether it's climbing mountains or using nicotine and alcohol. We will do things that are not optimal for our health," says Charlie Weimers.
- Just as it is unreasonable to stop providing information about condoms in schools because it would be better if young people did not have sex, it is unreasonable to have zero tolerance for nicotine.
Ignoring harm reduction risks having the opposite effect, says Mr Weimers.
“Industry must stop being passive”
At the same time, Mr Weimers makes a clear call directly to the nicotine industry: step forward in the debate.
- You have become too complacent and accepting. You are passive spectators in a debate that will determine the future of smoke-free products," he said during a World Nicotine Congress organised in Brussels.
He argues that the industry's official silence has left the field open for other actors to set the agenda.
- The initiative today lies with moralists. Those who advocate zero tolerance without thinking about the real consequences for people. And that can cost lives. If the tobacco industry were the original merchants of death, that role has now been taken over by utopian prohibitionists with no grounding in reality. Any ban or restriction on a smokeless alternative to cigarettes means that more smokers will never have the chance to choose.
Risk of losing the consumer perspective
When industry is not actively involved, there is also a risk that the users' perspective will be overshadowed, according to Mr Weimers.
Issues of harm reduction, product choice and actual levels of risk are given less space - while decisions on taxes and bans are pushed through at EU level.
Fierce attack on the anti-tobacco movement
Weimers goes further - accusing the anti-tobacco movement of misleading the public.
- "They exaggerate risks and create anxiety to enforce stricter rules," he says.
He believes that in the long run, this could lead to fewer people opting out of cigarettes.
More EU countries are moving towards bans
At the same time, several countries are tightening the rules considerably.
The Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Spain have already introduced strict restrictions. In France, a total ban on nicotine pouches was introduced on 1 April.
Crucial moment for white snus in the EU
The EU is currently negotiating both taxes and rules for smokeless nicotine products.
According to Mr Weimers, the outcome could determine the future of white snus in Europe.
“The EU has a huge opportunity to follow the Swedish example. It's not a hypothetical scenario anymore. In Sweden, we see widespread nicotine use, but without fatal consequences. Not perfect, but it is undeniable proof of a public health policy that focuses on results and not pipe dreams. The utopian zero tolerance that has spread across Europe is doomed to fail,” says Charlie Weimers.
