Swedish snus confronts basic EU principles

• Subsidiarity was one important issue in the snuff discussion within the Community during the first years of the 90s. The purpose was to allow Swedes to continue their age-old habit of putting moist tobacco under the upper lip.6 The snuff debate touched upon Community concepts which will again be of relevance in the lGC 1996. The legality, subsidiarity and proportionality principles were all referred to. When the matter resurfaced during the accession negotiations, a compromise solution was found which led to a new form of restrictions on the free movement of goods. The snuff case was also of interest as an experience in approaching community authorities – a lobbying practice7 that Swedes must be familiar with. The purpose of this paper is to present the snuff discussion as it took place and especially as it relates to the subsidiarity concept and then to attempt conclusions relevant for lGC 1996.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Juridik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Law (hsv//eng)

Keyword

civilrätt

private law

intergovernmental conference

lobbying

tobacco

snus

snuff

free movement of goods

legality

subsidiarity

proportionality.

Publication and Content Type

kap (subject category)

vet (subject category)