Could Snus help stop smoking asks Liz Lynne MEP

4.19.00pm GMT Tue 9th Dec 2008

Liz Lynne, the Lib Dem MEP and Vice President of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, today co-hosted a hearing by the Liberals and Democrats group in the Parliament into whether Swedish tobacco product snus could help people stop smoking.

Snus is widely used in Sweden as an alternative to cigarettes. It consists of small, tea bag-like packets of tobacco that are placed under the upper lip. Under the EC Tobacco Products Directive (2001/37/EC) the marketing of oral tobacco is banned in all EU-countries except Sweden.

However, while experts agree that snus may still pose certain health risks, many believe it can help cut the number of people who die each year from smoking related diseases such as lung cancer. It also may be of benefit to passive smokers as it does not produce the carcinogens in the atmosphere that are associated with cigarettes.

In 2007 Liz tabled an amendment to the European Parliament's report on a 'Smoke Free Europe' calling on the European Commission to investigate the risks of snus and whether it may help reduce smoking amongst EU citizens.

Speaking at the hearing today Liz said:

"I don't think anyone here is arguing that snus is in any way good for you, but it is suspected that Sweden's low lung cancer mortality rates may be connected to its use as people make the switch from cigarettes and I believe this is something that we should explore.

"One of the problems that we face is that there is very little impartial research into the dangers of snus and its possible benefits.

"It is vital that we have that research if we are to establish whether this is a product that should be available to the public and whether it represents a less harmful product than smoking."

ENDS

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please contact Liz Lynne on 0032 2284 7521 or 0776 445 2725.