The Center Party does not want to ban flavorings in e-cigarettes and e-liquid. At least not until an investigation into the harmful effects of various nicotine products has had its say. This was made clear after the party responded to the government's proposal in the Social Affairs Committee.
"We share the government's view that it is urgent to slow down the trend of increased use of e-cigarettes among children and young people." writes the Center Party via the MP Sofia Nilsson in a motion with reasons for the government's proposal for Tighter rules for new nicotine products.
At the same time, the Center Party believes that the ban on flavorings proposed by the government is not based on science.
"Banning flavors on all e-cigarette liquids now, including liquids that not contains nicotine, appears unscientific and premature. This is not least because, as recently as March 24, 2022, the Government instructed the Public Health Agency of Sweden to compile and make available knowledge about the harmful effects of various tobacco and nicotine products," writes the Center Party.
"Deeply problematic"
According to the Center Party, the bill also lacks a proper impact assessment of how a possible taste ban affects the market. This is remarkable, as the government in its own investigation expresses concerns about this, says the Center Party.
"According to the government's investigation, there is already a significant trade in e-cigarette liquids from other EU countries, with private imports accounting for a significant proportion of Swedish consumption. The extent of private imports is, according to the investigation, "deeply problematic" as there is a risk that private imports allow companies to circumvent excise taxation and Swedish regulations" writes the Center Party
Lack of impact assessment
Therefore, the party wants to see a better analysis before there is talk of a ban of any kind.
"Before a possible decision to ban flavor and fragrance additives in tobacco-free nicotine products, we believe that an analysis of how this would affect private imports and the overall consumption of these products is needed." writes the Center Party
The Committee on Health and Social Affairs will discuss the proposal on stricter rules for new nicotine products from May 10 to early June. Parliament will vote on the proposal on June 21.
Sounds quite hopeful, if it is only s, v and mp who are for "taste bans" then it will never go through. I also hope that the members vote according to their own heads and not according to some kind of party line. Then maybe you can get some who are against even in these parties.
The almost comically naive aspect of the government's taste ban is that 100,000 vejpers will say "well, I can vejpake tobacco then".
CLOSE AS .... THAT THE ALREADY EXISTING BLACK MARKET WILL EXPLODE!
Not only private imports from Europe, which I see as only a tax problem, but private imports/organized smuggling of unapproved substances from Asia, etc. On top of this we have domestic black market production, which every reasonably experienced vejper knows how to do. All ingredients are legally available in Sweden so it is highly unlikely that it would not be a big deal, especially as the profit margins are sky high when you "home mix".
It is not a question of "if", but "when" we will see the first poisoning injuries due to faulty ingredients in moonshine juice.