Hype for Haypp and all snus users after the Swedish government’s turnaround

Sweden, like many other countries, has aimed to generally reduce all tobacco use. However, along with today’s budget proposal, a new direction and goal for health policy were announced. Previously, the Swedish government chose to differentiate taxes from a harm-reduction perspective, but today’s announcement takes it a step further: All tobacco and nicotine policy must now consider the significant differences in harm caused by various products.

“ For us, harm reduction has always been at the core of everything we do. We therefore welcome today’s announcement with open arms. This is a victory for everyone fighting for a healthier and smoke-free society, ”

– Markus Lindblad, Head of Communications at Haypp.

Instead of aiming for a general reduction in tobacco use, the new goal will be to reduce the medical and social harm caused by tobacco and other nicotine products. Taxes have already been differentiated, with lower taxes for snus, vapes and nicotine pouches than for cigarettes, for example, which pose a much greater health risk. Otherwise, the public health policy goals remain unchanged.

“Sweden dared to go its own way during the coronavirus pandemic, and now it has once again proven to be a role model when it comes to public health policy. More countries should follow the Swedish example of relying on research and daring to think innovatively,” continues Lindblad.

“Swedish snus and nicotine pouch users have led the way and driven Sweden’s transition to a nearly smoke-free country. At Haypp we have been inspired and have long driven the transition towards harm reduction. Hopefully, Sweden’s decision can also encourage new ways of thinking elsewhere, such as in discussions around the Tobacco and Vapes Bill or EU’s new Tobacco Products Directive,” concludes Lindblad.

With just over five percent smokers, Sweden will soon be a smoke-free country according to WHO’s definition. Meanwhile, the European average still stands at around 25 percent. Smoking-related mortality among Swedish men is the lowest in the entire EU, which most attribute to the widespread use of snus and nicotine pouches.

Markus Lindblad Published 2024-09-20