Swiss politicians echo tobacco lobby claims as snus use surges

Snus sales in Switzerland have more than quintupled since 2016, as some politicians adopt tobacco-industry arguments that the nicotine product helps reduce smoking. But researchers say there is not enough evidence to support that claim, SRF reports.

Sales of snus and similar products rose from 80 tonnes in 2016 to 455 tonnes in 2024. The Swiss government forecasts that the trend will continue. Tobacco companies promote nicotine pouches as a healthier alternative to cigarettes and say they can help reduce the number of smokers.

Swiss tobacco prevention groups dispute that message. Markus Meury, a spokesperson for the Transparency and Truth initiative, said new research from Sweden suggests that few people switch from smoking to snus. Instead, he said, young people are starting to use the products, expanding nicotine consumption.

Sweden’s public health agency has also challenged the industry’s argument. In a report to the government, it said there were not enough studies to establish whether people smoke less because they use snus.

Philip Morris, responding on behalf of the tobacco industry, pointed to Sweden’s having the lowest smoking rate in the European Union and, among men, the EU’s lowest rate of smoking-related illnesses such as lung cancer.

Several Swiss politicians have cited Sweden in parliamentary proposals, arguing that nicotine pouches offer an opportunity and should face as little regulation as possible. Centre Party president Philipp Matthias Bregy, who submitted two of the proposals, said he wanted the government to examine the Swedish model and that reducing the number of products that produce smoke was desirable.

Bregy said adults who cannot or do not want to give up tobacco products should be treated differently from young people. He called for a firm policy to protect minors, including online identity checks to prevent them from ordering tobacco products.

Tobacco prevention groups also regard Sweden as a model, but point to its strict tobacco policies, including smoking bans and expensive cigarette packs, rather than snus use.