Sweden is unusual in that it has a culture of using snus, a non-smoking tobacco preparation, and in fact it is unique among the EU member states in having it actually be legal (it's banned EU-wide, but Sweden got an opt-out in the accession negotiations). Neighbouring Norway also has legal snus but Norway isn't a full EU member.
This probably contributes to the low smoking rates, but it also means that Swedish politicians love acting like the tobacco industry is their best friend,[1][2] because it's in the national interest to protect this uniquely Swedish tradition or whatever. And recently, the so-called white snus (Swedicism; English name is nicotine pouches, only Sweden considers this a kind of snus) like ZYN is a way for the Swedish tobacco industry to get a new generation of young people hooked in nicotine, interestingly including ones outside Sweden.
[1] https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/regeringen-presenterade-t...
[2] https://www.svt.se/nyheter/utrikes/svenskar-i-eu-pratar-flit...
Here's a free, fact-packed, breakdown on both smoking and "snus" in Sweden: https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency...
Numbers are from 2024, but smoking was at 5.4%, and snus at 15.7%.
> The increase [in use of snus] is particularly evident among women aged 16–29 years, where the proportion of daily snus users has risen from 3 percent in 2018 to 18 percent in 2024.
Geez that's a little alarming. Looks like that's basically all down to nicotine pouches too.
Yes, the whole thing is remarkably awful. Disgusting too.
We will not tolerate snus slander here! long live swedish match
As I Swede snus can suck it.
I will openly hate on Swedish snusers until they stop littering their pouches and cakes every-damn-where. Some of those guys even throw it onto indoor ceilings. It’s disgusting.
In korea people will chug through americanos like its water and dump the cups on the streets because there are no trash cans. If they had nic pouches there there is a good chance theyd clog the sewer system.
Id still take nic pouches and plastic cups over cig smoking losers anyday of the week