Sweden’s finance minister opposes an EU-wide tax increase
Sweden has fought to be independent when it comes to all decisions based on snus regulations and is in favor of reducing tobacco harm.
Snus is a moist powdered tobacco product that is placed under the upper lip for longer periods. It is most popular in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, but it is only legal in Sweden where it is considered an effective tobacco reduction product. The fact is that snus has not only led to Sweden being proud of it lowest smoking rate in Europebut more importantly, also reporting the lowest rates of lung cancer across the continent.
A recent one tax proposal would raise the EU minimum tax on cigarettes from €1.80 to €3.60 per pack by 20. Unfortunately, the tax is also proposed for safer alternatives such as vapes, and leaked documents suggest the plan is to force Sweden to introduce the tax on snus on an unreasonable level.
In a press release last week, the founder of the EUforsnus movement (@EU4snus on Twitter) Bengt Wiberg explained that the group will now start using the hashtags #VetoEUsnusmurder, #EUsnusmurder& #StopEUsnusmurder, and contact damage control units to draw attention to the matter.
The Swedish government will fight the proposed tax on snus
He explained that the Swedish government previously has fought hard for Sweden to be autonomous in all decisions based on snuff regulations, and is to reduce tobacco harm, can and likely will veto this proposal. And this seems to be the case.
In a recent interview, Sweden’s Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson told Wiberg that she fully supports the use of snus because it is a matter of public health. She said that the tax increase is not acceptable and that it will be fought by the Swedish government.
The Netherlands is urged to copy Sweden’s tobacco reduction model