A Non Smoking Generation, the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association, Tobaksfakta, the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation and several other Swedish interest groups want to ban all sales of nicotine. At least to people born after 2010.
The proposal applies to the whole EU and together with similar organizations they are now collecting signatures to push the issue to the European Commission.
Sedan New Zealand presented its (now abolished) decision to introduce a generational ban on cigarette purchases, the idea has inspired various interest groups around the world to call for similar measures. This is also the case in Europe. Swedish Non Smoking Generation, together with similar organizations in other EU countries, is now working towards a total ban on cigarette sales for people born after 2010. However, unlike New Zealand, they want the ban to apply to all nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and snus.
"In our latest Novus survey, we see strong support for more tobacco-free environments and a completely tobacco-free generation. 64 percent of young respondents are in favor of setting an end date for all tobacco sales to the next generation." writes Non Smoking Generations' Secretary General Helene Stjerna in a press release.
New Zealand and harm reduction
As Vejpkollen previously reported, the New Zealand initiative has both praised and criticized by tobacco and addiction experts from around the world. The strategy in New Zealand is a combination of prohibition and harm reduction, with low-nicotine cigarettes and e-cigarettes remaining on the market while cigarettes are phased out.
"We couldn't have done this if we didn't see that there were acceptable alternatives to cigarettes. E-cigarettes have proven to be an effective tool for smoking cessation, so we dare to take the next step and phase out smoking" said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern when New Zealand launched the idea in 2021.
Want to ban all nicotine products
However, the NSG believes that all nicotine products shall be prohibited for those who are born after 2010. It is not clear from the press release whether the ban will also apply to nicotine gum, sprays and other so-called nicotine medicines. However, the NSG has on occasion worked with a major manufacturer of these products. The goal is a nicotine-free generation by 2030, and the organizations aim to collect one million signatures by 2025 to petition the European Commission.
"We want to draw the attention of politicians to the harmfulness of tobacco and nicotine products, and the importance of putting the health of European citizens and our environment before the profit interests of the tobacco industry" writes NSG in its press release.
The organizations also want to introduce advertising bans for nicotine products. They also call for tobacco-free beaches, schools, restaurants, terraces, swimming pools, sporting events, parks and shows across the EU.
Financed by tax money
Non Smoking Generation, Tobaksfakta and Vi Som Inte Röker (VISIR) are all organizations funded by government funds and donations. In 2023, the Public Health Agency distributed a total of SEK 6 million to these, and similar, organizations.
They are sick totalitarian fanatics with roots in the Third Reich. This only confirms it. How are they going to do it in practice? Will they have a Sturmabteilung that goes around and patrols streets and squares to check that people do not vejpar or have a pill under the lip? 🙂 Ironically, many countries are now moving towards legalizing or decriminalizing cannabis. But the Swedish anti-nicotine fanatics are probably strongly against it.