Just days after Snusforumet reported on growing concerns that Sweden might weaken its long-standing harm-reduction stance at WHO COP11, a Swedish MEP has slammed the government’s actions in Geneva as bowing to “health fascists”

Swedish MEP Charlie Weimers has issued a sharp warning on X, accusing Swedish officials on-site of failing to defend Sweden’s “red lines” in the face of efforts by the EU that could lead to a ban on nicotine pouches.

His comments follow statements by Swedish government ministers promising the country would pursue a tobacco policy grounded in harm reduction that recognises the difference in risk posed by combustible cigarettes versus smoke-free oral alternatives such as snus and nicotine pouches.

EU attempting a backdoor ban at WHO COP11

Weimers’ reaction comes to revelations reported by Snusforumet and other media reports that Sweden has remained passive as the European Commission – together with the Danish EU presidency – works behind the scenes to secure a WHO recommendation calling for a ban on nicotine pouches, despite earlier failed attempts to push such a ban through within the European Union itself.

In a strongly worded statement, Weimers warns, referring to nicotine pouches as “white snus”, a common term in Sweden differentiating the product from traditional tobacco “brown” snus:

“The EU tried to push through a ban on white snus in the Union. They failed. Now they are trying to get a global recommendation on the same thing within WHO’s ongoing COP11. The Commission and the Danish presidency… are trying to sneak through a WHO recommendation that white snus should be banned.”

He also criticises the behaviour of the Swedish delegation in failing to uphold what had been previously decided in the Swedish parliament (Riksdag).:

“According to reports, the Swedish officials have sat quietly and not fully defended our red lines. This goes against the Riksdag’s decision that Sweden should have a regulation that minimizes the harms of smokable tobacco products.”

Why silence matters

A WHO recommendation, even if non-binding, could be weaponised by EU regulators to justify renewed efforts to regulate or ban nicotine pouches – a scenario Weimers argues would directly undermine Sweden’s internationally recognised harm-reduction model.

Sweden stands on the brink of becoming the world’s first smoke-free nation, with daily smoking levels already near the WHO’s 5 percent recommended threshold. 

Research consistently shows that the country’s unique trajectory is driven by widespread access to low-risk, smoke-free nicotine alternatives – especially snus.

A global recommendation targeting these products could signal a step backwards for both Sweden and countries looking to replicate its success.

Weimers’ message to the Swedish government

As COP11 discussions continue, Weimers says the responsibility now lies with Swedish officials on-site:

“The Swedish officials on site have a task. Defend the Riksdag’s decision and stop this nonsense.”

Snusforumet’s attempts to get a comment from Swedish trade minister Benjamin Dousa and healthcare minister Elisabet Lann have so far been unsuccessful.