The EU Commission wants to partially finance its new long-term budget, which will come into effect in 2028, with certain excise taxes. They propose EU taxes on tobacco and electronic waste as well as for large companies that have a turnover of more than 50 million euros per year.
For Swedish consumers, this may mean more expensive white, tobacco-free snus, according to the government.
We are analyzing the proposal that came as recently as yesterday, but we see a risk of an increase in the tax on white snus and we see that they want to move the revenue from Sweden to the EU. It should also be a national decision to determine the exact levels for different products, says Jessica Rosencrantz.
Should snusers be afraid of a price shock?
We will get back to you when we have studied the proposal in detail, but if it would mean an increase in white snus or that revenue is moved from Sweden to the EU, then we will fight against it.
"Not needed"
The government is completely opposed to the EU introducing its own taxes.
We think it is not needed. We think that instead we need to make prioritizations within the budget, says Rosencrantz.
The negotiations on the budget are starting now and are expected to continue for several years.
Are the taxes a red line for you?
Most countries do not usually set up red lines on day one in the negotiations, but I will be extremely clear already tomorrow when I meet my colleagues in Brussels, says Jessica Rosencrantz.
Hoping for Germany
She also repeats Sweden's position that the budget is too large - and that they want to see increased focus on security, Ukraine support, and competitiveness at the expense of the large budget items for agricultural and regional support.
In the negotiations, Rosencrantz hopes to be able to join forces with colleagues from several other countries.
Already now, we hear from the German side that this proposal is unacceptable. The Netherlands is also very close to us. Denmark has sometimes been mentioned as a country that has changed its position, but I would say that the Danish attitude is still that we need to be restrained.
Launched in Sweden in 2016.
Consists of flavored nicotine that is extracted from tobacco leaves. Is highly addictive.
Was until a few years ago legal to market and sell to minors in Sweden, since the products are not regulated by the tobacco law.
Does not stain teeth or gums and does not smell like regular snus.
Contains fewer toxic substances than conventional snus. But a recent ongoing research project at the University of Gothenburg found that white snus can cause painful inflammation in the mouth.
