Facts
Tobacco companies add substances to their products that enhance the effects of nicotine, reduce the smell of tobacco, and make the smoke tastier and more attractive. Until 1970, hardly any additives were used. Since then, over a thousand different substances have been added, which now make up almost ten percent of the weight of cigarettes.
In many cases, combinations of additives are used. One example is ammonia, which helps nicotine reach the brain faster and gives the smoker a stronger kick. Added sugar makes the smoke less irritating and gives the nicotine a stronger effect.
Cocoa is added both because it tastes good and because it contains a substance that dilates the airways so that the smoke penetrates further into the lungs and the body is exposed to more nicotine and tar. Levulinic acid increases the nicotine content in the smoke and makes the brain more susceptible to nicotine.
As a result of the Tobacco Products Directive 2016, certain flavourings are now banned in Sweden, and others are in the process of being banned, but there is still no restriction on flavourings in snus and e-cigarettes. When it comes to snus, Sweden decides this themselves.
Flavorings are also the biggest explanation for the explosive growth in the number of snus brands since the turn of the millennium. Today, there are snus flavors such as mint, vanilla, licorice, chocolate, lime, violet and orange. As for e-cigarettes, a 2014 study shows that there were over 7,000 e-cigarette flavors at the time.
Tobacco flavoring combined with colorful design poses a serious problem as it contributes greatly to attracting thousands of children and young people to start using tobacco and e-cigarettes every year.
Legislation in Sweden on additives and its regulation
The countries, including Sweden, that have ratified the Tobacco Control Convention commit to legislating to regulate the content of tobacco products, and also to ensure that manufacturers inform authorities and the public about the products' content and emissions.
In the wake of the EU's Tobacco Products Directive, which regulates this, among other things, a ban on selling cigarettes and rolling tobacco with a "characteristic taste" was introduced in Sweden in 2016.
According to the Public Health Agency of Sweden's regulations, a characteristic flavour refers to "a clearly noticeable aroma or taste of something other than tobacco, resulting from an additive or combination of additives, which may include but are not limited to fruit, spices, herbs, alcohol, caramel, menthol or vanilla". Transitional rules mean that menthol cigarettes are exempt until 2020. The ban is of course positive, as it helps to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco, especially among children and young people.
Sweden is the only EU country where snus is allowed to be sold, and is therefore exempt from the flavouring ban in the Tobacco Products Directive. There is no Swedish decision on the regulation of flavourings in snus, and therefore there is still a plethora of flavoured snus varieties on the market. E-cigarettes are also not covered by the flavouring ban in the Tobacco Products Directive.
The following additives have been banned in cigarettes and rolling tobacco in both the EU and the Swedish market since 2016 (does not apply to snus):
- Vitamins or other additives that give the impression that a tobacco product provides a health benefit or reduced health risks.
- Caffeine, taurine or other additives or stimulants associated with energy and vitality.
- Additives that color emissions.
- Additives that facilitate the inhalation or absorption of nicotine, in the case of tobacco products for smoking.
- Additives that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction in unburned form.
Among the new legal regulations introduced with the Tobacco Products Directive in 2016 was an increased requirement for the tobacco industry to report on its products to the Public Health Agency. Companies must now notify when they intend to release a new tobacco product on the market. They must also report annually which additives cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco contain.
In 2017, the first law regarding e-cigarettes came into force in Sweden, which places requirements on manufacturers and importers regarding the product's content, and that this is informed in a content declaration.
This is what Sweden should do
Tobacco Facts wants to see a ban on flavorings in snus and e-cigarettes
This is what Tobacco Facts thinks Sweden should do:
- Regulate what to the tobacco products may contain!
- Completely ban flavor-enhancing ingredients in snus and e-cigarettes that increase the attractiveness of these products. We know that flavorings attract children and young people to start using tobacco, and we know that e-cigarette users, for example, are about twice as likely to try “regular” smoking and to start smoking daily.
- Also ban additives that give the impression that snus and e-cigarettes have health benefits.
- Make the information that tobacco companies report on the content of tobacco available to the public on the Public Health Agency's website, in an educational and transparent manner. The public has the right to know that the tobacco industry adds substances to make it easier to both start and continue using tobacco.
