Overall, the tax reduction on snus amounts to around 20 percent. At the same time, the tax on cigarettes is increased by nine percent.
According to the government, this is about reflecting the health risks associated with snus and cigarettes – where the latter are considered to be significantly worse for health.
Markus Lindblad, communications manager at snus retailer Snusbolaget.se, welcomes the change.
These tax changes will benefit Swedish snus consumers and we have high expectations that this will contribute further to more people quitting smoking, says Lindblad.
The method most people use to quit smoking is indeed snus, he continues.
"Some lower – others raise"
For several of the most common brands, the tax reduction corresponds to around 55 kronor for a stock (a ten-pack) of loose snus, according to Snusbolaget's calculation. For portion snus, it may be a reduction of between 20 and 30 kronor per stock.
At the same time, each supplier sets its own prices – and it is not self-evident that all will lower their prices.
It will be exciting for consumers to see what actually happens now. Some lower prices fully and some lower them partially. Others raise prices. But we take for granted that all within Swedish trade will follow, says Markus Lindblad.
So-called white snus and other tobacco-free products are not covered by the tax reduction. For cigarettes, a pack is expected to become four kronor more expensive, according to the government.
Critical of tax reduction
At the same time, there are health risks associated with using snus, including the impact on the heart and blood vessels and increased blood pressure.
Research shows that even if snus is less harmful than cigarettes, there is an increased risk of dying prematurely if you use snus, says Louise Adermark.
She is a dependency researcher at the University of Gothenburg and researches, among other things, nicotine addiction.
It's a shame that they choose to lower the tax on snus. There is a great risk of addiction and as I see it, we don't need to use nicotine products at all, says Adermark.
Ettan loose: 55.20 kronor
General loose: 55.20 kronor
Göteborgs Rapé original portion: 31.60 kronor
Knox white portion: 25.20 kronor
LD salmiak portion: 23.70 kronor
Lundgrens Skåne portion: 23.10 kronor
Skruf cloudberry portion: 28.40 kronor
Source: Snusbolaget.se.
