BMJ 2007;335:907 (3 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39381.528507.DB
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European Commission asked to investigate use of snus to reduce smoking
Rory Watson
Brussels
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Campaigners who want to relax the Europe-wide ban on snus, an oral tobacco, have succeeded in formally asking the European Commission to investigate whether its use could help people to stop smoking.
MEPs called on the commission on 24 October "to investigate the health risks associated with consumption of snus and its impact on the consumption of cigarettes" as part of a wide ranging strategy towards a smoke-free Europe.
The tobacco has been banned throughout the European Union since 1992 and is only allowed in Sweden, where it is so much a part of national culture that the government negotiated a specific exemption when the country joined the European Union.
Liz Lynn, the British Liberal Democrat MEP who led the call for the new investigation, explained, "Snus may be one of the possible ways of ensuring a smoke-free environment and help people to quit smoking. But there are still risks
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