Smoking may be banned in outdoor environments – Today’s Medicine

Around 100 000 people become ill because of smoking each year and 12,000 die, all at a cost to society of 30 billion. It is not acceptable, says health minister Gabriel Wikström (S), which wants to reduce smoking.

In his hand he now has a lot of suggestions from tobacco investigator Göran Lundahl. He wants to extend the current ban on smoking at public places outdoors. Partly to reduce the risk of exposure to secondhand smoke, and to “de-normalize tobacco use.”

– You should not be exposed to the temptation to smoke. The exposure of the smoking behavior is also a reason for the smoking ban, says Göran Lundahl, which also suggests that e-cigarettes and hookahs that do not contain tobacco shall be subject to the ban.

In order to reduce the urge to smoke will not be permitted to expose tobacco products in stores. An exception is made for specialty stores.

– I think it’s very interesting, not least the proposal on smoke-free environments, says health minister Gabriel Wikström (S) now send the commission’s proposal for comment.

the Moderates say no to legislate on smoking outdoors.

– It must work in practice, says Cecilia Widegren (M), social policy spokesperson.

A poll Cancer Society commissioned shows that three out of four Swedes are in favor of smoking bans in public places, although support for a ban on outdoor terraces are somewhat lower. Two out of three is a ban on exposure of tobacco products in stores, according to the survey based on 5300 interviews.

No suggestion is to regulate the flavor of snuff. In contrast, suggested that it should not be allowed to refer to taste, smell and additives on snus packaging, which is expected to have approximately the same effect according to the investigator.
Snus maker, Swedish Match is very critical, and believes that the proposals are disproportionate, whether it is smoking man to access.

– It is also problematic for us to export when you limit ourselves fully in our home market, says Hildingsson, Communications at Swedish Match.

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