”The government that governs Sweden following this autumn’s election should take the initiative to develop a national strategy and bring together politicians, trade unions, the business community and the research sector behind a common Swedish approach to white snus.”
This is the view of Social Democrat Kenneth G. Forslund, who, together with Nataša Stojković, chair of the Food Workers’ Union, would like to see a clearer policy to promote smoke-free nicotine both as an export commodity and as part of public health policy.
In a opinion piece in Dagens Industri argues Kenneth G. Forslund (S) and Nataša Stojković because traditional snus and nicotine pouches should be given a much more prominent place in Swedish industrial and export policy.
10,000 jobs up for grabs
The starting point is the figures which The food industry recently presented on the Swedish snus industry. According to the report, around 10,000 jobs can be linked directly and indirectly to its manufacture, whilst the value of exports amounts to nearly seven billion kronor a year.
As Vejpkollen has previously reported, nicotine pouches account for a growing proportion of exports. Production takes place in Gothenburg and Kungälv, Malmö, Sävsjö, Vårgårda, Upplands-Bro and Enköping, amongst other places.
Wants to make snus an industrial policy issue
Forslund and Stojković argue that Sweden should treat this sector in a similar way to other areas where the state works actively to promote Swedish industry and exports.
”Our conclusion is that this export sector must now become an integral part of Swedish industrial, export and public health policy,” they write in *Dagens Industri*.
At the same time, they link industrial policy to Sweden’s low proportion of smokers and describe snus as a possible explanation for this trend. The products are not risk-free, they note, and children and young people must be protected through measures such as age checks and regulated marketing. However, regulation should also take into account the differences in risk between cigarettes and smoke-free products.
Wants to see white snus throughout the EU
A large part of the proposal focuses on the forthcoming regulation of nicotine products within the EU. France has already banned nicotine pouches and several Member Statesr operates under far-reaching restrictions.
Forslund and Stojković welcome the fact that the current Swedish government opposes an EU ban on white snus. However, they do not want the outcome to be a specific Swedish exception, similar to the one that already applies to traditional snus.
Whilst such an exemption would certainly protect the Swedish market, it would at the same time limit the opportunities for Swedish companies to export their products to the rest of the EU.
”Sweden should instead work towards a knowledge-based and proportionate regulatory framework that makes it possible to sell and regulate white snus throughout the EU. This would benefit both public health in Europe and Swedish industry,” they write.
A different tone to that of the previous Social Democratic government
The attitude towards smoke-free nicotine products has therefore taken on a somewhat different tone within the Social Democratic Party compared with when the party was last in government.
In 2022, the Social Democratic-led government proposed a a comprehensive ban on flavours in e-cigarettes, where only products with the taste and smell of tobacco would be permitted. The proposal was justified, above all, by the need to reduce use amongst young people.
The ban was halted after a majority in the Social Affairs Committee voted against it. The Social Democrats then entered a reservation against the decision and wished to retain the Government’s proposal.
The debate became heated at times. When around 3,000 vejpare contacted the Riksdag In protest against the ban on certain flavours, Social Democrat MP Yasmine Bladelius questioned whether the people behind the protests actually existed. The Riksdag eventually voted down the ban.
Since then, the economic significance of nicotine pouches has also grown, whilst the issue of the risks associated with various nicotine products has featured more prominently in the political debate. Earlier this year, the Left Party proposed to investigate a similar ban on certain flavours on nicotine pouches, a proposal that was voted down in the Riksdag – the Social Democrats However, they also expressed reservations about that decision.
Calls for a unified Swedish approach
Forslund and Stojković now want the next government to bring together politicians, trade unions, the business community and the research sector around a common strategy. According to them, the aim should be to protect minors, strengthen research and innovation, whilst at the same time creating more industrial jobs and increasing exports.
They also link the issue directly to efforts to reduce cigarette smoking in Europe.
”Sweden has already built up a world-class export industry. The task now is to develop the political strategy to support it,” write Kenneth G. Forslund and Nataša Stojković.
