The Swedish government is now going on the offensive to protect the future of nicotine pouches in Europe. Sweden strongly criticises Spain's proposal to lower the nicotine content of pouches to just 0.99 mg per pouch - a limit that would effectively act as a ban.
"Nicotine pouches are not health products, but in a situation where cigarettes are legal, nicotine pouches should be too," says Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa to The Express.
More EU countries are tightening rules
Across the EU, nicotine product regulations are tightening. Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium have already banned the sale of nicotine pouches (although private imports are allowed) and France plans to follow suit.
In Spain, the government goes even further. Similar to upcoming Danish rules, only artificial tobacco flavourings will be allowed. But while Denmark proposes a maximum strength of 9 mg per gram, Spain wants to lower the limit to less than 1 mg per pouch.
Sweden: A threat to the single market
The Swedish government sees Spain's proposal as a threat to both Swedish companies and free movement in the EU's internal market.
"The Spanish proposal would effectively exclude all nicotine products from the market. This is a serious interference in the freedom of movement that may be in violation of the EU Treaty," writes government in a statement.
Sweden emphasises that nicotine pouches and white snus have played a major role in reducing smoking rates. Only 5.6 per cent of Swedes smoke daily - one of the lowest figures in the EU, where the average is 22.3 per cent.
In Spain, the smoking rate is still high: 23 per cent of the population over the age of 14 smokes.
Concern about young people's nicotine consumption
Spain justifies the proposal with concerns about the addictive effects of nicotine - especially among young people. But according to Sweden, the proposal lacks proportionality: Spain has not proven that stricter limits protect young people better than, for example, age limits, advertising bans and taxes, which Sweden uses.
Strong warning from Sweden
The Swedish government has issued a detailed opinion - an unusually strong reaction that obliges Spain to respond to the criticism.
Benjamin Dousa states:
"We want to send a clear signal to the rest of the EU that we stand up for Swedish snus users. White snus is not a health product - but when smoking is allowed, white snus should be too," he says to The Express.
