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May 10, 2006
Seminar on harm reduction, smokeless tobacco and the Åland issue
The Eudoxa think tank invites you to a seminar and discussion regarding the harm reduction and tobacco issues in Helsinki with regard to the European Commission's decision to bring Finland to the European Court of Justice regarding the ban on snus.
Lars Ramström, scientific director of the Institute for Tobacco Studies in Stockholm with a long experience from tobacco research will discuss the scientific perspective and the Swedish experience with snus.
Ted Urho, from the Swedish People's Party will discuss the Finnish debate on harm reduction and smokeless tobacco during the last decade, with a particular emphasis on the Åland issue. Ted Urho has for years debated the issue of the European snus ban in Finnish media, where the issue has gained a new prominence the last year.
Background:
The Commission has under 2005 initiated a new investigation on Finland's upkeep of sales ban on snus. According to the Commission Finland has not followed the the agreement decided with Finland's entry in the EU in 1996. On the 26th of September 2005 the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a citation, according to the European legislation on the sale of tobacco products (89/622/EEG and 2001/37/EG).
Åland is an autonomous region in the Republic of Finland, and according to the Commission, Åland should follow the same legislation as the rest of Finland in regard to snus and its sales, while Åland disagrees. The Åland issue is an important part of the Commission's action to bring Finland to the ECJ.
The issue of harm reduction has not surfaced when the Commission has discussed with the Finnish government. There are scientific evidence that snus is less harmful when compared to other tobacco products such as cigarettes.
The Eudoxa think tank wishes to examine the issue of harm reduction and compare it to the EU's present policy and its effects for public health.
Speakers: Lars Ramström, Institute for Tobacco Studies, Ted Urho Swedish People's Party
Venue Scandic Hotel Marski, "Filip" hall, Mannerheimintie 46, Helsinki. 16th of May. 09h30 to 12h00. Coffee and breakfast will be served.
RSVP to Alexander Sanchez, the Eudoxa think tank at e-mail info@eudoxa.se
The Eudoxa think tank is situated in Stockholm, Sweden. Their focus is on discussing the effects of emerging technologies and scientific progress and their relations with society and economics.
For further information, please contact Alexander Sanchez. Telephone +46 8 83 87 73, e-mail info@eudoxa.se
Posted by Waldemar at May 10, 2006 01:00 PM