Big hello to the THR community supporters. We are back with another update on what’s new in the THR world.

Let’s start with some good news.

The European Parliament has, for the first time, formally acknowledged that Sweden has reached smoke-free status. In a diagram över rökningsfrekvenser across the bloc, the Parliament placed Sweden alone at the bottom, making it the first member state to pass the 5% threshold – fifteen years ahead of the EU’s 2040 target. Meanwhile, the EU average remains at 24%. Läs mer about it here.

Staying in Sweden, the country has come out against the EU’s plan to raise taxes on nicotine pouches ahead of this week’s renewed negotiations on the Tobacco Taxation Directive. The proposal would impose higher minimum tax rates on cigarettes and, for the first time, minimum taxes on vaping products, nicotine pouches, and heat-not-burn. Sweden’s finance minister has publicly vowed to stop Brussels from raising taxes on nicotine pouches, stating that other countries should not decide Sweden’s nicotine policy and that the government will not allow the EU to “shock-raise” taxes on products that helped make Sweden smoke-free. It is encouraging to see countries where harm reduction works protecting the policies that made their success possible.

On another note, ANVISA, Brazil’s health agency, has launched a samråd on nicotine pouches. Considering the generally challenging climate for less harmful nicotine products in Brazil, we highly encourage our Brazilian readers and not only to take part and make their voices heard – everyone can participate!

When it comes to the World Vapers’ Alliance, WVA was represented at the Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN) at the beginning of June, where experts, researchers, consumers, and advocates gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing tobacco harm reduction. It is always important to ensure that consumers have a seat at the table during these conversations.

That’s it for this week – thanks for reading, and keep fighting for evidence-based policies!