Commission referred Finland to the European Court of Justice for oral snuff
The sale of oral snuff is banned in Finland. It was also banned in Åland-Islands 1st of February in 2007. Åland is an autonomous and unilingually Swedish region in Finland. The European Commission has criticized Åland's new law for it allows the ships to continue to sell oral snuff. September 19th, Finland noted in their report to the European Commission that oral snuff has a great economical value to Åland Islands. Åland tried to make some changes to the new legislation; the sale of snuff would have only been allowed in Swedish territorial waters. The other planned change was about the definition of snuff and smokeless tobacco that needs an update to be in accordance with the international standards.
The European Commission did not accept the changes in the new legislation, only clear ban on sales was accepted. The Commission decided to refer Finland to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The Commission asked the Court to condemn Finland to pay over 2 million euros fines and if Finland fails to comply before the judgement, also a daily penalty, 20 000 euros per day.
Åland-Island banned snuff sales also in Swedish territorial waters on 21. January 2008 and after that European Commission back out the demand of fines.
Sweden is the only EU-member with an exceptional licence to sell oral snuff. Otherwise the sale and marketing is forbidden in the European Union. Sweden has argued that smokeless tobacco has long traditions in the country.
Sources:
The European Commission. Commission refers Finland to the European Court of Justice a second time over tobacco for oral use. Press release 23.10.2007.
Euroopan komission Suomen edustuston tiedote 24.7.2007. Suomi saa piiskaa nuuska-asiassa.
Ålands författningssamling. Landskapslag om ändring av tobakslagen för landskapet Åland nr 4 2007. http://www.regeringen.ax/.composer/upload/modules/lagar/afs2007_nr4.pdf
Ålands landskapsregering. Utkast 15.6.2007. Om förbud mot saluförande av snus och om förbud mot tobaksrökning i restauranger.
Ulkoasiainministeriön tuomioistuinmuistio 12.9.2007 / UM2007-02173 12.9.2007: http://www.vn.fi/tiedostot/julkinen/eu-briefit/2007/20070914/nuuska.pdf
