In an interview with the newspaper Kaleva, Wallin said lawmakers are cracking down on snuff because it does not bring in tax revenue like other tobacco products.
”Tax on tobacco products provides 650 million euros. Snuff on the other hand has a marginal influence. This plan is like firing a canon at a mosquito,” he said.
On Thursday, a government working group presented Minister of Health and Social Services Paula Risikko with a proposal calling for stricter laws on tobacco. The proposal includes a ban on snuff.
Wallin said that the proposal is inconsistent because other tobacco products would not be banned. He also pointed out that, unlike smokers, snuff-users do not harm the health of others.
Wallin added that Sweden’s lenient policy on snuff is more sensible than the ban on snuff in other EU countries. However he did say he supported a crackdown on the use of tobacco by minors.