This is the speech by Swedish MP Jesper Skalberg Karlsson at the launch of the Quit Like Sweden event in Brazil in April 2024.
TRANSCRIPT
Dear friends and colleagues,
My name is Jesper Skalberg Karlsson and I am part of the committee on health and welfare in the Swedish parliament.
Today I want to tell you a story about innovation, legislation and giving consumers the power to make decisions about their own health.
First of all, Sweden is a cold country. When tobacco was introduced as a plant in 1724, it soon became apparent that growing tobacco in a cold climate did not produce the finest quality of product. Swedish tobacco for smoking was less pleasant than using imported goods.
The solution was to innovate, and Swedish snus was introduced in the 1800’s, a form of “pickled” tobacco that you could put under your lip and get a slow release of nicotine. However, the black Swedish snus was viewed as a dirty product. The upper class continued to smoke imported tobacco – and the working class, mainly men, took to snus.
During the second world war modern cigarettes were cheap and made their way across Europe. Swedes with their long time use of snus kept on using snus. Smoking rates were lower than in Europe, while overall tobacco use was comparable to that of other countries. Men used snus in construction sites, hands free, while the rich population kept smoking in their salons.
In the seventies the Swedish innovation of snus took a major leap. Cut up tea bags were used to make loose snus into a portion size. This meant snus became more accessible and easier to use. Later, in the 90’s, a white portion with a less runny feel, was introduced. Suddenly men took to snus, not as a way of replacing cigarettes – instead they used snus as their first tobacco product.
In the 2000’s nicotine pouches were invented. Nicotine pouches, in a way, is snus without tobacco at all. Instead it is a snus pouch with nicotine – the ingredient that tobacco users are looking for, but without the black and rugged feel of tobacco.
In the 2000’s we have seen mainly women taking to nicotine pouches, as a way of replacing cigarettes. In the year 2024 around 5 per cent of the Swedish population are smoking on a regular basis. This means we are basically smoke free. Amazing!
With fewer people smoking we can see that fewer people are contracting tobacco related illnesses. This means people live longer lives and that the strain on Swedish healthcare is reduced. Also, night clubs and bars smell a lot better.
The Swedish snus is not a health product. It is still better to eat salad and kale, than to use snus or nicotine products. But as a way of giving alternatives to consumers and reducing harm, it is unbeatable.
If you are looking for a way to reduce tobacco related illnesses, look no further. But be wary – as decision makers, we need to make sure we are not making ill informed decisions. Perhaps snus is not the way forward for Brazil, perhaps it is vapes. Perhaps there are additional measures to be taken to make sure a Brazilian way forward is made for Brazil – not for swedes. In that regard, let me stress a few things:
- Kids should not use tobacco or nicotine products. Keeping these products out of the hands of the younger generations must be given a top priority.
- Consumers can make decisions for themselves. It is not your job to say that everyone should use a vape – rather, you must make sure that all tobacco and nicotine products have relevant information on their effects on health. Then, consumers can make informed decisions.
- There are no nicotine free countries. But there is a way to reduce smoking rates, and my hope is that you want to make that journey for Brazil. Longer lives and lower cancer rates is a great deal for both people and government.
Thank you!