"Will the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Public Health Agency of Sweden implement Parliament's decision to introduce harm reduction in tobacco policy? How will they properly investigate the differences between different nicotine products in terms of harm risks?"
This is what Karl-Åke Johansson, chairman of NNA Sweden, asks himself when Jakob Forssmed (kd) takes over the job as Minister of Social Affairs and head of the Ministry of Social Affairs.
It is now clear that the Christian Democrat Jakob Forssmed will be Sweden's new Minister for Social Affairs. He will also head the Ministry of Social Affairs. In addition to issues relating to civil society and sport, Jacob Forssmed will also be responsible for public health issues.
"I hope he will push the issue of harm reduction further. It is important that he clarifies Parliament's decision that tobacco and nicotine policy in the future should be characterized by an evidence-based harm reduction perspective." says Karl-Åke Johansson, President of the user association NNA Sweden.
"Want to create a risk ladder"
The previous government, as well as former Social Affairs Minister Lena Hallengren, wanted treat snus, nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes in the same way as cigarettes and smoking. However, this was not supported in Parliament. Instead, the Parliament Government mission to investigate the harmful effects of different nicotine products.
"We want to be able to build legislation based on a so-called risk ladder that clearly shows the harmful effects of products containing nicotine. It is clear that snus and vejpa are not as dangerous as smoking. We need to take that into account." said Johan Hultberg, spokesperson for the Moderates on health issues, in connection with the parliament voting down the government's ANDTS strategy 2021.
The S-government delayed the investigation
The assignment and the investigation are now with the Ministry of Social Affairs, i.e. Jakob Forssmeds board.
But according to Karl-Åke Johansson the previous government has already delayed implementation of Parliament's decision. It has also asked the ministry to investigate whether it is even possible to introduce a harm reduction perspective in tobacco policy.
Points to the WHO tobacco convention
According to the previous government, harm reduction as a concept may go against Sweden's commitments via the WHO Tobacco Convention. The WHO's approach to products like e-cigarettes and snus is controversialbut all negative. At the same time, the WHO clearly mentions "reducing the harm caused by smoking" as part of the Tobacco Convention.
"The previous government tried to delay the investigation to the very end. The important thing for us users is that the report does what Parliament actually decided. That is: compare harm and take into account the large amount of international research published on harm reduction for smokers over the last 10 years. An evidence-based policy can save lives, and at the same time save taxpayers' money by reducing healthcare costs as more smokers switch to snus, vejpa or nicotine pouches" says Karl-Åke Johansson.
