The EU: Snus, Bans, and Taxes

[Mr. Unloadingzone]

Hi Everyone!

I could use some of your EU wisdom and assistance. The snus-wars are beginning in the USA and I want to write an article on what the EU did and is doing. There's a lot of conflicting stuff on the web.

My understanding was that except for Sweden, snus was banned in the EU. Is it still banned in all EU countries, or did they legalize it again and when/why?

I've seen posts about getting around the EU tax on snus. Does that mean that they lifted the ban and are just taxing the hell out of it? Or is it still banned in certain countries, but others have to pay huge taxes?

And (not that I'm complaining at all!) why don't they tax exports to the USA.......yet?

How does the EU public feel about the ban/taxes? Are there any big movements for the EU to change its snus policy? Are there any surveys showing public opinion on snus, one way or the other, in the EU or any individual EU member-countries?

Any information, article links or suggestions including your own opinions (which will be attributed to you in the article) would be GREATLY appreciated! I know a lot of you have blogs and website of your own. PM me if you want to discuss link exchanges or other type issues.

Thanks!

Mr. Unloadingzone

[holnrew]

Well snus is free to import into countries other than sweden and in the UK at least snus doesn't come under any any taxable form of tobacco so if we were to import it from outside of the EU we could avoid the tax.

Snus is pretty much unheard of in the UK so most people have no feelings about the ban from sale. Personally I don't mind as it's pretty convenient to buy online.

[sagedil]

I can add a little info. Still banned everywhere except for Norway. Banned for sale, not for import for personal use. Taxes are just the taxes that folks have to pay buying within the EU. Sweden taxes it as well as tobacco, not sure how this influences what Buysnus sells to people in other EU countries.

There is talk about lifting the ban. There is ALWAYS talk in Brussels, seems what they do. Ban was initiated because of the fear that non tobacco users would be attracted to snus, and the anti-tobacco people are strong, invasive, and evil. Ban might be lifted because there is growing evidence that more people using snus simply means less people smoking. You would think this is a good thing.

Take some time to weed through the 890% crap on the web and you WILL find the good info. The above I have picked up following it tangentially over 17 months of using snus, so I know it's there. But I have no links off the top of my head.

[Mr. Unloadingzone]

I can add a little info. Still banned everywhere except for Norway. Banned for sale, not for import for personal use. Taxes are just the taxes that folks have to pay buying within the EU. Sweden taxes it as well as tobacco, not sure how this influences what Buysnus sells to people in other EU countries.

There is talk about lifting the ban. There is ALWAYS talk in Brussels, seems what they do. Ban was initiated because of the fear that non tobacco users would be attracted to snus, and the anti-tobacco people are strong, invasive, and evil.That's what I'm afraid they're getting ready to do in the US The excuse is snus is attractive to children. Ban might be lifted because there is growing evidence that more people using snus simply means less people smoking. You would think this is a good thing.It is...these anti-tobacco people are still living in the 70's and won't wake up. Thanks for the advice"
Take some time to weed through the 890% crap on the web and you WILL find the good info. The above I have picked up following it tangentially over 17 months of using snus, so I know it's there. But I have no links off the top of my head.

[smeden]

[quote="sagedil"]I can add a little info. Still banned everywhere except for Norway. Banned for sale, not for import for personal use. Taxes are just the taxes that folks have to pay buying within the EU. Sweden taxes it as well as tobacco, not sure how this influences what Buysnus sells to people in other EU countries.

Norway isent a member of the eu thats why
løs is not baned in denmark
if i buy a can of løs ex offroad from buysnus its about 33 DKK
and localy in denmark its 16 DKK

thats why many swedes buys snus in denmark but only løs!
the portions are ehm :roll: aparantly way more bad for you there fore not free to sell in DK

[holnrew]

Seems odd for them to think that a little bit of paper makes it so much worse for you...

But then it could just be because of the ease of use I suppose.

I wonder if there are any danish websites that sell it?

[CWC]

Just like my grandmother used to say it's the filter that causes cancer :? if your going to smoke roll your own if your using snus go for lös :wink:

[Mr. Unloadingzone]

[quote="smeden
Norway isent a member of the eu thats why
løs is not baned in denmark
if i buy a can of løs ex offroad from buysnus its about 33 DKK
and localy in denmark its 16 DKK
thats why many swedes buys snus in denmark but only løs!
the portions are ehm :roll: aparantly way more bad for you there fore not free to sell in DK[/quote]
Wow, I though American laws were the only ones that were so confusing..........

[sagedil]

LOL Mr. Unloadingzone, you obviously have never spent any time in France.