Taste and exposure bans? Or personal responsibility and legislation depending on harm? What do Swedish politicians think about e-cigarettes and other tobacco-free nicotine products? Vejpkollen continues its review of the parties - now with the Moderates.
The Moderates clearly say no to the government's new ANDTS strategy. The strategy is a set of guidelines that aim, among other things, to limit access to tobacco-free products such as snus, nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes
"The public sector should create better conditions for people to take greater personal responsibility for good living habits without moralizing. Using snus is not nearly as harmful as smoking cigarettes. The ANDTS strategy must take this into account when developing long-term goals and taking concrete measures to achieve the set goals," the Moderates write in their motion on the government's new strategy for alcohol, drugs, doping, tobacco and gambling addiction (ANDTS).
"Smokers take smaller steps to e-cigarettes"
According to Johan Hultberg, moderate spokesperson for tobacco and drug issues in the Social Affairs Committee, the government should reassess its approach to e-cigarettes and snus. Otherwise, the harm from tobacco may increase rather than decrease in Sweden.
"We have radically lower smoking rates in Sweden compared to other EU countries. I see strong links to snus. There is a group left that smokes and it is a smaller step for them to switch to e-cigarettes than to snus. So there is clearly a potential health benefit in people quitting tobacco and switching to other alternatives." Johan Hultberg to Vejpkollen.
What do you think about the risk of young people starting to use nicotine products?
"There are always some people who start and who might not have done so if e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches were not available. But overall, it is positive that these alternatives are coming"
"Must have a policy that saves lives"
Johan Hultberg sees harm reduction as an important tool, both for tobacco smoking and drug use.
"It is of course better that no one starts using nicotine or other substances at all. But we know that the world is not black and white. Some will do it anyway. And then we need to have policies that save lives. Harm reduction is part of that. Like needle exchanges for drug addicts or less harmful nicotine products for smokers. There is really no contradiction between that and a responsible tobacco policy, but we have to get our priorities right"
Be credible to young people
Johan Hultberg believes that authorities and politicians have a great responsibility in communicating the various risks of nicotine use to young people.
"We welcome regulation but emphasize prevention over more legislation. I think it is extremely important that society differentiates between the harm caused by different nicotine products. Different products have different harm profiles. Otherwise, we will not be credible in our communication to young people," says Johan Hultberg.
Hard to hit the mark with taste bans
The government's investigation into e-cigarettes and tobacco-free nicotine products recently proposed to ban all non-tobacco flavors in e-liquid. But banning flavors is something Johan Hultberg strongly opposes.
"I am deeply skeptical about it. If you start regulating flavors, it's hard to find the right one. This kind of conservative regulation slows down the development of less harmful products. I am first and foremost in favor of encouraging self-regulation and responsibility in the industry."
He says that adding flavor to products is not primarily about reaching new customers.
"It is presented as if it is something new. We don't think about the fact that many products, such as snus and traditional cigarettes, have always contained flavorings. And it's not about targeting young people, but to improve the taste for users. And we know how difficult it is to regulate flavorings. We've had the same discussion about alcohol for a long time."
"How do we reduce the damage of addiction?"
Johan Hultberg says the government's new strategy on alcohol, drugs, doping and tobacco lacks what he calls "evidence-based approaches".
"The government certainly has good intentions, but not so good results in the rearview mirror. The question should be how we reduce the harm of addiction. How should we act to achieve the overall health goals? We need to differentiate between different products and how we regulate them."
Will a possible change of government with the Moderates lead to changes in the ANDTS strategy?
The strategies are long-term. That is why it is important how we deal with them in Parliament now. There is a fairly large consensus on tobacco and drug policy. But when it comes to snus and tobacco-free nicotine products, for example, we have different opinions. On the other hand, we Moderates and the Center are on the same line - in clearly distinguishing between different products based on harm. So we'll see what happens with a change of government," says Johan Hultberg
The Moderates' answer is very good. They have, as far as I know, always been quite consistent when it comes to being positive about tobacco harm reduction. MEP Christoffer Fjellner has long worked for snus to be allowed to be sold throughout the EU, they voted against the ridiculous vejp ban on outdoor restaurants, etc.
Well formulated and with a focus that is missing in the rest of the debate.
The overall goal of reducing harm and death must always come first. E-cigarettes and snus are not part of the problem, but part of the solution.