Few issues engage Swedish MEPs as much as snus - not least the recent French ban on the possession and use of nicotine pouches, so-called white snus.
French guardianship in its worst form. Complete idiocy, says EU MEP Tomas Tobé (M).
"France's legislation is not reasonable. It is not a way to treat adults who bring white snus for their own use when they travel to France," says colleague Johan Danielsson (S).
The Social Democrats even want the European Commission to take action. A response from there is expected next week.
Compare with wine
At the same time, the government is pressing ahead. On Monday, EU Minister Jessica Rosencrantz (M) raised the ban in a meeting with her French colleague Benjamin Haddad in Paris.
"Of course, Sweden would like to see the law withdrawn, but above all we would like an exception for Swedish tourists who come to France so they do not risk high fines for bringing a can of white snus," says Rosencrantz.
According to the minister, there is French "understanding" that Sweden has strong objections.
"I compared it to if we, on the Swedish side, banned French people from bringing something typically French, for example French wine," says Rosencrantz.
No fines yet?
The French ban from April 1 means that so-called nicotine pouches cannot be sold, used or even possessed in France. Threats of hefty fines and even imprisonment have scared off both tourists and Swedish snus users in the country.
Snus manufacturers have quickly been forced to stop selling their products in France.
So far, however, there are no reports of any individual snus user being punished.
"No, and there is still a lot that is unclear. We know about the high fines and the risk of prison sentences, but it is unclear when the different parts come into play and for what types of offences," says Jessica Rosencrantz.
Regular brown snus with tobacco is prohibited from being sold in the EU - but not in Sweden. When Sweden joined the EU in 1995, an exemption was negotiated, meaning that snus may be manufactured and sold in Sweden, but not exported to other member states. Possession and import for personal use is generally permitted, but not to Malta.
There is still no common EU legislation for tobacco-free white snus. Several countries, including France and Belgium, have introduced sales bans - and in France's case, this also applies to possession and use.
