Media: HuffPost – Sweden sets an example on smoking, while Spain gets a sharp reprimand

Brussels has become the new battleground in Europe’s fight against smoking, placing Spain’s Ministry of Health – and its head, Mónica García – under intense pressure. The Spanish Government’s plan to tighten anti-smoking regulations has suffered an unprecedented setback.

Sweden, backed by six other countries and with the support of the European Commission, has blocked Spain’s proposed ban on nicotine pouches — also known as “white snus” (tobacco-free nicotine pouches). International pressure has forced Spain to suspend the reform, leaving the Ministry of Health exposed. Critics abroad have warned that this decision “condemns Spanish smokers to consume the most harmful product.”

“Sweden’s approach has saved thousands of lives and drastically reduced tobacco-related mortality,” said Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden. “We cannot remain silent while other EU countries, such as Spain, enforce regulations that lack scientific basis and push consumers back to cigarettes.”

[Read the full article on Huffington Post (Spanish edition)]