Swedish Health Officials Propose Snus Ban in Schools for Students and Teachers

The rising use of snus among Swedish youth has led to new proposals for a comprehensive ban on the product within schools, encompassing not only students but also teachers. Current statistics reveal that snus use among ninth graders has surged to 16%, up from 5% in 2017, prompting the Folkhälsomyndigheten (Public Health Agency of Sweden) to advocate for this stricter measure.

Grethe Fochsen, a senior investigator at the agency, emphasized the importance of adult behavior in shaping young people's perceptions of nicotine risks, stating, "The behavior of adults plays a crucial role in shaping youth perceptions of risk." This proposal comes amid claims from the tobacco industry that increasing snus use is helping to decrease smoking rates, a narrative that many studies counter by indicating that snus may be creating a new generation of nicotine users.

Helen Stjerna, the secretary-general for A Non Smoking Generation, criticized these industry claims, adding that nicotine products elevate health risks, including a heightened likelihood for young users to begin smoking cigarettes. While the Swedish government has yet to make a decision on the proposed snus ban, many European countries are already considering or implementing similar policies, with France planning a total ban on white snus by 2026. Young users have expressed mixed feelings; for instance, one 24-year-old expressed skepticism about the ban as a potential trigger of rebellious reactions among teens dealing with complex emotions.