The tobacco industry is marketing harmful nicotine products as “harmless”. The goal is to make young people addicted – to secure revenue. Our new report, presented today, shows that this is succeeding due to marketing and lobbying. Now politics and society must stand up for our young people and for public health.
Smoking kills around 12,000 people every year in Sweden. That's more deaths than traffic accidents, drugs and suicide combined. Today's young people smoke less than previous generations, which is good news for society. However, for the tobacco industry, this means reduced revenue, which has led to the launch of new nicotine products such as white snus – which is marketed as "tobacco-free".
The marketing is a big scam. The white snus, just like traditional snus, comes from the tobacco plant but has been processed to lose its color and flavor. However, the nicotine has been preserved, and some varieties have 50 milligrams of nicotine per gram, which is higher than traditional snus. White snus is therefore not harmless. It is highly addictive and use increases the risk of damage to the fetus of mothers who use snus, disrupts the development of the teenage brain, and increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
The tobacco industry has obscured the effects of white snus, and has managed to make it popular among young people through sweet and fruity flavorings and attractive packaging. In the 14–18 age group, 19 percent use white snus , and few young people are aware that the product is harmful.
In total, between 25 and 30 percent of the Swedish people are addicted to nicotine. The widespread use of tobacco opposes public health, which is guaranteed in our constitution and in the Tobacco Control Convention, the Children's Convention, Agenda 2030, etc. Despite these conventions, the tobacco industry can consistently oppose all preventive measures, including through lobbying.
In our new report “The Battle for Future Tobacco Policy”, leading representatives of the political youth associations are interviewed about their tobacco policy positions. The results are disappointing. Several of the representatives admit that they are not knowledgeable about the tobacco issue. The Liberal Party and the Sweden Democrats’ youth associations opposed all new proposals for preventive measures such as plain tobacco packaging, display bans and bans on flavourings. Furthermore, these youth associations want to promote the consumption of snus, for example by lowering the age limit to 16 years (LUF) and allowing doctors to recommend it to patients (KDU).
Only the three red-green youth associations were positive about new preventive measures, and only Young Left and Green Youth criticized the influence of tobacco lobbying on Swedish politics. Other youth associations saw no problem with politicians allowing themselves to be influenced. Some of those interviewed had already had meetings with tobacco lobbyists. This despite the fact that the Tobacco Convention, which Sweden has committed to, clearly advises politicians against having exchanges with the tobacco industry.
The situation is worrying. Tomorrow's leaders lack knowledge in the tobacco field. They are therefore willing prey for the tobacco industry's myths about "harmless" products.
Politics, civil society, schools, and healthcare need to take action together to stop the tobacco companies' negative impact on public health. Our call is:
• Stop the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and snuff during school hours.
• Assign youth clinics and youth centers to support young people to abstain from nicotine.
• Provide healthcare professionals with resources to offer tobacco cessation in their encounters with patients.
Last but not least, we need brave and wise politicians. Those who understand that true freedom is to remain free from addiction, and who dare to enact laws that protect our children and young people instead of promoting the future profits of tobacco companies.
Torsten Kjellgren , political scientist and report author
Lena Sjöberg , dentist and chair of the think tank Tobaksfakta
Ann Post , nurse, Tobacco Facts
Göran Boëthius , doctor, Tobacco Facts
