For anyone interested in nicotine policy – and smoke-free nicotine products in particular – this year’s Almedalen Week is unusually packed with content. Nearly ten seminars and debates will address issues relating to snus, nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, youth use, public health and regulations. Vejpkollen has put together a guide to some of the most interesting events.
Advertising, social media and young people’s use
The temperance organisation Movendi and the Swedish National Council on Alcohol and Drug Issues are organising a discussion on how marketing affects the consumption of alcohol and nicotine in Sweden.
In the seminar "Free market, high prices – the consequences of alcohol and tobacco advertising” The discussion will focus on how advertising by the industry is regulated and what consequences this has.
Among those on stage are Karin Sundin (S) and Cecilia Gustavsson (M), both members of the Social Affairs Committee, as well as Helen Stjerna, Secretary-General of the tax-funded advocacy organisation Non Smoking Generation.
Voters, politics and nicotine
Vejpkollen and the National Snus Users’ Association highlight the consumer perspective at the seminar ”Voters’ views on snus, e-cigarettes and nicotine – how are politicians responding?”
The discussion is based on the new Snusbarometern survey, in which Swedes answered questions about their nicotine use and their views on health risks, policy and access to various products.
On stage are representatives from several of Sweden’s political youth organisations.
E-cigarettes under the microscope
For the first time, Vejpkollen is organising its own seminar on developments in the Swedish vejp market.
I ”E-cigarettes under the microscope – from niche product to regulated market: What do we know today?” The focus is on product safety, market developments and how regulations affect both consumers and businesses.
The discussion begins with the rapid growth that e-cigarettes have experienced over the past 15 years. How does the market work? What can an e-liquid contain – and why? How is product safety affected by legislation, trends and new products?
Taking centre stage is the e-liquid manufacturer Linus ”Koyuki” Gustafsson, Niki Gugutudis, Head of Sales at Vont AB, and Markus Lindblad, Head of Communications at Haypp/Snusbolaget.
Age checks in the spotlight
Several seminars focus on young people’s access to nicotine products.
A new Ipsos survey shows that minors are still managing to buy nicotine and tobacco products in shops, despite several years of efforts involving training, self-regulation programmes and technical solutions.
– Despite a strict 18-year-old age limit, shops across the country are still selling nicotine and tobacco to under-18s. After several years of educational initiatives, actual compliance with age checks in shops remains inadequate. When too few shop staff dare to ask for proof of age, is a change in the law required? asks the Snus Manufacturers’ Association.
The issue will be discussed at the seminar ”No more guessing – is it time for mandatory age checks when buying nicotine?”
Participants include Patrik Strömer from the Swedish Snuff Manufacturers’ Association, Otto Drakenberg from SMD Logistics, Markus Lindblad from Haypp, local councillors from Halmstad and Stockholm, as well as representatives from the local regulatory authority and the ICA Retailers’ Association.
Similar issues are addressed at the Convenience Stores Sweden seminar ”From law to reality: why are minors getting hold of nicotine?”, where industry representatives and local politicians discuss where the system is failing and what measures are needed to reduce minors’ access to nicotine products.
Sweden’s low smoking rates and the EU’s future regulations
The Snus Manufacturers’ Association also highlights the recurring debate about Sweden’s low proportion of smokers and the role that snus and nicotine pouches have played in this trend.
– In Sweden, smoking has largely been replaced by snus and nicotine pouches. Now, the EU’s review of the Tobacco Products Directive could change the situation. Are these new nicotine products a public health problem or part of the solution? asks the organisation.
In the seminar ”Public health, freedom or bans? The future of nicotine in the EU” The latest developments regarding nicotine pouches and the EU’s forthcoming regulations are discussed.
Similar questions are the focus of the seminar ”Who represents voters in nicotine policy?”, with participants including Agnes Wold, Oliver Rosengren (M), Louise Hammargren from KDU and Leonidas Aretakis, editor-in-chief of Flamman.
Is nicotine more dangerous than we think?
The Nordic Nicotine Alliance focuses on the many claims and misconceptions surrounding nicotine.
– Is snus a gateway to smoking or the best way to quit smoking? Are the flavours particularly appealing to young people? Are nicotine pouches really tobacco-free? How dangerous is nicotine in itself? What distinguishes nicotine replacement therapy from nicotine pouches? asks the organisation in the seminar “”Myths and truths about nicotine, smoking and the importance of alternatives’
Agnes Wold, Fredrik Nyström, Professor of Internal Medicine at Linköping University, and Albin Zetterwall from Timbro have been invited to discuss these issues.
Prohibitionist policies, freedom and trust
The Snus Commission, too, addresses the issue of nicotine from a broader societal perspective.
In the seminar ”Social media and snus – the downfall of young people: What do young people do when politics means bans?” Chairman Stig-Björn Ljunggren wishes to discuss the relationship between prohibitionist policies, young people’s freedom, health and trust in society.
Social Democrat politician Jan Emanuel is taking part in the discussion.
Swedish nicotine innovation for export
Swedish Match is organising its own seminar focusing on innovation, exports and competitiveness.
– Swedish nicotine innovation is helping to create smoke-free societies and a growing industry. Last year, Sweden exported nicotine portions worth six billion kronor. Since 2022, the value of exports has increased by nearly 300 per cent. How do we ensure continued innovation, investment and jobs for the Swedish nicotine industry? asks Anette Rosengren, Nordic CEO of Swedish Match.
These issues will be discussed at the seminar ”Swedish nicotine innovation on the global stage – how do we ensure competitiveness when Europe is putting the brakes on?”
Considerate pouchers – an international perspective on white snus
The organisation is also present at Almedalen Considerate Pouchers, which has a tent by the harbour (behind the food market). Here, they engage with the public, providing information on the role of white snus in harm reduction and tools to help people either give up smoking or never take it up in the first place – from an international consumer perspective.
