Denmark holds the EU Presidency - and nicotine taxes are high on the agenda. As in the leaked EU proposal, Health Minister Sophie Løhde has cracked down on the market for nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes. But now that line is meeting resistance - from Sweden's Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson.
The battle for smoke-free nicotine products is heating up in the EU. Sweden's Minister of Finance, Elisabeth Svantesson (Moderaterna), is now reacting sharply to a new proposal for common minimum taxes on nicotine pouches and e-liquid, among other things.
"The proposal being circulated is completely unacceptable to the Swedish government," writes Svantesson on the X platform.
The proposal, which the European Commission expected to present shortly, iAmong other things, a new pan-European excise duty on so-called "white snus" - nicotine pouches - and e-liquid. According to a draft that several media outlets have obtained, the tax on nicotine pouches could reach €143 per kilo.
For Danes, this would mean an increase from DKK 800 to DKK 1,100 per kilo (38 percent). For Swedes - and of course Danes who buy their white snus in Sweden - the proposal corresponds to a significantly higher increase: 650 per cent. From approximately 19 to 143 euros per kilo - or from approximately 200 to 1,560 Swedish kronor.
This will mean a price increase of around SEK 25 (DKK 17) per can for consumers.
Sweden: Taxes must reflect risk
Unlike many other EU countries, Sweden makes a clear distinction between smoke and smokeless nicotine in its health policy.
"The government wants each EU country to be able to tax tobacco and nicotine based on the relative health risk," writes Svantesson.
She also points out that Sweden has the lowest proportion of daily smokers in Europe - less than 5 per cent - which contrasts with the EU average of 20 per cent. According to the government, this is due to the widespread use of snus and other smokeless nicotine products in Sweden.
"It is obvious to us that the tax revenue from tobacco and nicotine should go to Swedish welfare - not to EU bureaucracy," she writes.
New EU line - also for e-liquid and nicotine-free liquids
In addition to nicotine pouches, the committee behind the EU plan also proposes that e-liquid - both with and without nicotine - should be subject to a common excise duty. In addition, significant increases in the tax on cigarettes and smoking tobacco are proposed.
Denmark in key position as chair country
Since 1 July, Denmark has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, giving it a central role in the upcoming negotiations on issues such as tobacco and nicotine taxes. In the Danish debate, the focus has been on often been on young people's nicotine consumption, but the question is whether a differentiated approach - like the Swedish one - will be heard.
The European Commission is expected to present its proposal next week. After that, both the European Parliament and the member states will decide whether the new tax directive should be adopted and included in the EU's next long-term budget.
"When the Commission presents its proposal, I will continue to fight for Swedish snus," says Elisabeth Svantesson.
