Swedish EU Politicians Ramp Up Meetings with Snus Lobbyists Ahead of EU Regulation Decisions

Since early 2024, Swedish EU politicians have held at least 30 meetings with tobacco and nicotine lobbyists as the European Commission prepares to decide on new regulations concerning white snus. This frequent interaction highlights the political tension within the EU over the future of snus, a product deeply linked to Swedish culture and industry.

Jessica Polfjärd, a Moderate Party MEP and member of the European Parliament's health committee, has had eight meetings—the most of any parliamentarian—with tobacco representatives. Polfjärd emphasized the importance of protecting snus as a Swedish product, stating, "It is a Swedish product that we think is important to protect and defend." Additionally, parliamentarians from the Moderate Party, Christian Democrats, and Sweden Democrats have participated in 26 meetings, while Social Democrats have met with lobbyists only four times. Other parties reported no such meetings.

The EU faces pressure from several countries, notably France, advocating a total ban on white snus due to health concerns. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the rapidly growing market for white snus and urges stricter regulations or bans to protect youth from addiction. WHO epidemiologist Etienne Krug stressed the need for protective measures against these dependency-inducing products. WHO further cautions about tobacco companies’ influence campaigns aimed at weakening regulations.

Since joining the EU in 1995, Sweden has maintained an exemption for snus despite the EU-wide ban. This longstanding exception is now under scrutiny amid debates that pit public health priorities against economic and cultural preservation. Jonas Sjöstedt, a Left Party member, criticized the tobacco industry's use of parliamentarians to advance their commercial interests.

As the EU Commission is expected to announce new regulatory decisions later this year, the intensive lobbying and political divisions underscore the complex negotiations shaping the future of snus within the Union.