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ISSUES
SNUS
Swedish-style snus isn't smoked. It is finely-ground moist tobacco that comes either loose or in tiny sachets and is placed under the upper lip.
It is acknowledged by several independent health experts to be at least 90 per cent less harmful than smoking cigarettes.
In May 2005 Group companies in South Africa and Sweden began year-long small-scale trials of snus (the sachet variety) in response to a number of public health stakeholders who told us they believe that it can, properly regulated, contribute to reducing the health impact of tobacco.
Encouraged by feedback from both consumers and some health experts, the Group is extending the test markets in 2006, opening its own snus research facility at their UK R&D laboratories and planning test market launches in other countries.
The European Union banned most smokeless tobacco, including snus, in 1992, saying it could appeal to people too young to be sold tobacco and posed a risk to health. Sweden obtained an exemption to the ban when it joined the EU in 1995. Some other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, ban oral tobacco while others, such as the US, Norway and India permit it.
Supporters of snus think that regulation banning the product is unbalanced because it prevents informed adults from buying snus, which has been shown by independent research to be much less harmful than cigarettes. In Sweden, evidence suggests that snus is a pathway away from smoking, not a gateway to it.
We share the view that the EU should modify its ban on snus. Through membership of the European Smokeless Tobacco Council, we have submitted evidence to the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Risks (SCENIHR) which is examining health issues for smokeless tobacco products and is due to report later this year.
EU Social Reporting will be a very good opportunity to carry the debate about snus further on. We would welcome our stakeholders to share their views and opinions on this product and its future on the EU market.