2023-03-292022/23:NU12 · p.11NUBusiness & energy
Questions Concerning the Free Movement of Certain Goods
The EU export ban on Swedish snus and requirements for breathalyzers on the internal market
What's at stake: The decision affects whether the Swedish snus industry can legally export to other EU countries, with implications for jobs and tax revenue, as well as how reliable breathalyzers sold within the EU are for consumers and authorities.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should work to have the EU's export ban on Swedish snus lifted and to introduce accreditation requirements for breathalyzers on the internal market, or whether the current EU rules should remain unchanged.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motions calling for the government to work to lift the EU export ban on snus and to require accreditation of breathalyzers on the internal market. The full reasoning for this point is missing from the available material.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 14 (SD)
The Sweden Democrats consider that the EU's export ban on Swedish snus conflicts with the principle of free movement of goods and that there are no convincing reasons to keep the ban, especially since trade in cigarettes with known health risks is fully permitted. The party argues that lifting the export ban would create more Swedish jobs and reduce smoking-related cancer in the EU, and also wants all breathalyzers sold on the internal market to be approved by an accreditation body to avoid substandard products.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 14 by SD.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Yes | Yes 21/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | Yes | Yes 93/0/0/14 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | Yes | Yes 15/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | Yes | Yes 14/0/0/2 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 14/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | No 0/64/0/9 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2022/23:941 by Tobias Andersson et al. (SD), 2022/23:1014 by Thomas Morell et al. (SD) proposal 76 and 2022/23:1206 by Jesper Skalberg Karlsson (M).
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2022/23:941 av Tobias Andersson m.fl. (SD), 2022/23:1014 av Thomas Morell m.fl. (SD) yrkande 76 och 2022/23:1206 av Jesper Skalberg Karlsson (M).
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected 85 proposals in motions submitted during the general motion period in 2022. The proposals concern international trade, the EU's internal market, trade and investment promotion, and sustainable business. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to the policy conducted, ongoing work, and various initiatives. The proposals concern, among other things, overarching questions about free trade and protectionism, that is, protection of domestic production with the help of, for example, tariffs. The proposals also concern requirements in trade agreements, reform of the World Trade Organization, trade relations with certain countries, questions concerning the free movement of certain goods, trade promotion, examination of foreign direct investment, and sustainable business.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to promote open and free trade and prevent protectionism. (SD) — Reservation 14
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan does not address snus exports, but its governing principle is that social and democratic rights should be placed above the freedom of capital and that market-fundamentalist competition and free trade rules should be challenged.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address snus exports, but its governing principle is that social and democratic rights should be placed above the freedom of capital and that market-fundamentalist competition and free trade rules should be challenged. Demanding that an export ban be repealed by reference to free movement of goods turns precisely that prioritisation upside down. The conclusion therefore rests on the plan's general stance towards the internal market, not on a stated position on snus.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte snusexport, men dess bärande princip är att sociala och demokratiska rättigheter ska överordnas kapitalets frihet och att marknadsfundamentalistiska konkurrens- och frihandelsregler ska utmanas. Att kräva att ett exportförbud upphävs med hänvisning till den fria rörligheten för varor vänder just den prioriteringen upp och ned. Slutsatsen bygger därför på planens allmänna hållning till den inre marknaden, inte på en uttalad ståndpunkt om snus.
- rights before capital's freedomdecisive»demokratiska rättigheter ska överordnas kapitalets frihet.« (party programme ↗)“democratic rights should be placed above the freedom of capital.”
- challenge free trade rules»De marknadsfundamentalistiska konkurrens- och frihandelsregler som försvårar« (party programme ↗)“The market-fundamentalist competition and free trade rules that make”
- criticism of deregulated internal market»Avregleringar, skattesänkningar, privatiseringar och avskaffande av handelshinder« (party programme ↗)“Deregulation, tax cuts, privatisation and removal of trade barriers”
The documents address neither snus exports nor alcohol meters.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The documents address neither snus exports nor alcohol meters. The closest principle is that the consumer perspective, not producer interests, should be the starting point and that childhood should be free from drugs, which weighs against pushing to lift a health-motivated export ban. That the plan embraces free movement of goods pulls in the opposite direction, but that freedom should according to the programme not take precedence over social sustainability. The confidence is therefore low.
Original (Swedish)
Dokumenten behandlar varken snusexport eller alkoholmätare. Närmast liggande princip är att konsumentperspektivet, inte producentintresset, ska vara utgångspunkten och att uppväxten ska vara fri från droger, vilket väger emot att driva på för att upphäva ett hälsomotiverat exportförbud. Att planen bejakar fri rörlighet för varor drar i motsatt riktning, men den friheten ska enligt programmet inte gå före social hållbarhet. Säkerheten är därför låg.
- consumer before producer interestsdecisive»producentintresset, ska vara utgångspunkten för en politik där säkra livsmedel, miljöhänsyn« (party programme ↗)“producer interests, should be the starting point for a policy where safe food, environmental considerations”
- public health and drugs»och till en trygg uppväxt fri från droger och våld.« (party programme ↗)“and to a safe childhood free from drugs and violence.”
- free movement of goods»Vi bejakar principerna om fri rörlighet för varor, personer, tjänster och kapital.« (party programme ↗)“We embrace the principles of free movement of goods, persons, services and capital.”
The plan does not treat snus' export ban, but its bearing principle is that member states shall have the right to proceed with stricter legislation to protect environment and health even if it conflicts with the EU's internal market.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not treat snus' export ban, but its bearing principle is that member states shall have the right to proceed with stricter legislation to protect environment and health even if it conflicts with the EU's internal market. The plan also sees public health as a central political task and is restrictive towards marketing of health-damaging goods. Tearing down a health-motivated export ban with reference to free movement therefore goes against the plan's prioritization.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte snusets exportförbud, men dess bärande princip är att medlemsländerna ska få gå före med hårdare lagstiftning till skydd för miljö och hälsa även om det strider mot EU:s inre marknad. Planen ser också folkhälsan som en central politisk uppgift och är restriktiv mot marknadsföring av hälsoskadliga varor. Att riva ett hälsomotiverat exportförbud med hänvisning till fri rörlighet går därför emot planens prioritering.
- health protection before internal marketdecisive»Medlemsländerna måste få rätt att gå före med« (party programme ↗)“Member states must have the right to proceed with”
- public health in focus»Vi menar att en långsiktig satsning på folkhälsa« (party programme ↗)“We believe that a long-term investment in public health”
- restrictive view of health-damaging goods»förbjudet, liksom reklam för spel och alkohol.« (party programme ↗)“banned, just as advertising for gambling and alcohol.”
The plan establishes that Sweden cannot manage without free trade and that more markets shall be opened for Swedish goods, and the party programme sees trade barriers as something that limits both consumers' and producers' choices.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that Sweden cannot manage without free trade and that more markets shall be opened for Swedish goods, and the party programme sees trade barriers as something that limits both consumers' and producers' choices. An EU export ban for a legal Swedish product is precisely such an obstacle, so the plan argues for it to be repealed. The plan shows the same position when it wants to allow local producers to sell alcoholic beverages to visitors.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige inte klarar sig utan frihandel och att fler marknader ska öppnas för svenska varor, och partiprogrammet ser handelshinder som något som begränsar både konsumenters och producenters val. Ett EU-exportförbud för en laglig svensk produkt är just ett sådant hinder, varför planen talar för att det upphävs. Planen visar samma hållning när den vill tillåta lokala producenter att sälja alkoholhaltiga drycker till besökare.
- free trade and export opportunitiesdecisive»Sverige klarar sig inte utan frihandel. Öppna upp fler marknader för svenska varor och tjänster.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden cannot manage without free trade. Open up more markets for Swedish goods and services.”
- against trade barriers»Tullar och handelshinder begränsar konsumenters och producenters val.« (party programme ↗)“Tariffs and trade barriers limit consumers' and producers' choices.”
- no to protectionism»Sverige behöver mer frihandel och internationellt samarbete, inte protektionism och stängda gränser.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs more free trade and international cooperation, not protectionism and closed borders.”
- freedom for local producers»Det är orimligt att lokala producenter av alkoholhaltiga drycker inte kan sälja sina produkter till besökare.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is unreasonable that local producers of alcoholic beverages cannot sell their products to visitors.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan pursues intentional tobacco prevention work where new recruitment shall be held back, and stipulates that public health in the EU shall weigh more heavily than business interests.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan pursues intentional tobacco prevention work where new recruitment shall be held back, and stipulates that public health in the EU shall weigh more heavily than business interests. Advocating for the repeal of the EU's export ban on snus would expand the tobacco market and stands in tension with that commitment. The plan's strong support for free movement in the internal market pulls in the other direction, which is why the conclusion is uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen driver ett målmedvetet tobakspreventivt arbete där nyrekryteringen ska hållas tillbaka, och slår fast att folkhälsan i EU ska väga tyngre än näringsintressen. Att verka för att EU:s exportförbud mot snus upphävs skulle vidga tobaksmarknaden och står i spänning med det åtagandet. Planens starka stöd för fri rörlighet på den inre marknaden drar åt andra hållet, varför slutsatsen är osäker.
- intentional tobacco preventiondecisive»Det tobakspreventiva arbetet ska bedrivas målmedvetet och nyrekryteringen hållas tillbaka genom information,« (party programme ↗)“Tobacco prevention work shall be conducted intentionally and new recruitment held back through information,”
- public health before business interests»I EU ska hänsynen till folkhälsan väga tyngre än jordbruksintressen.« (party programme ↗)“In the EU, consideration for public health shall weigh more heavily than agricultural interests.”
- free movement in the internal market»Vi ska stärka EU som frihandelsunion med en fördjupad inre marknad, värna den fria rörligheten i Europa och verka för fler frihandelsavtal med omvärlden.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We shall strengthen the EU as a free trade union with a deepened internal market, protect free movement in Europe, and work for more free trade agreements with the world.”
- restrictive alcohol policy»Sverige ska ha en restriktiv alkoholpolitik.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall have a restrictive alcohol policy.”
The plan does not address snus exports. The closest principle is that the internal market shall be developed through simplified rules, better…
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address snus exports. The closest principle is that the internal market shall be developed through simplified rules, better competition and broken-up closed markets, and that competition restrictions may only occur exceptionally. The demand for approved alcohol meters is supported by the plan's requirement for well-developed consumer information. The plan's restrictive stance on alcohol and tobacco forms a counterweight.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte snusexport. Närmast liggande princip är att den inre marknaden ska utvecklas genom förenklade regler, bättre konkurrens och uppbrutna slutna marknader, och att konkurrensbegränsningar endast får förekomma undantagsvis. Kravet på godkända alkoholmätare stöds av planens krav på väl utbyggd konsumentinformation. Planens restriktiva alkohol- och tobakslinje utgör en motvikt.
- free movement in internal marketdecisive»genom att förenkla regler och förbättra konkurrensen« (party programme ↗)“by simplifying rules and improving competition”
- competition restrictions exceptionally»Monopol och konkurrensbegränsningar får endast förekomma undantagsvis,« (party programme ↗)“Monopoly and competition restrictions may only occur exceptionally,”
- safe and controlled products»En väl utbyggd konsumentinformation« (party programme ↗)“Well-developed consumer information”
- restrictive alcohol policy»Det alkoholpolitiska arbetet ska syfta till att minimera« (party programme ↗)“The alcohol policy work shall aim to minimise”
flags: planen saknar ställningstagande om snus
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to deepen the internal market and that the state should facilitate trade, based on the idea that Sweden's prosperity is built on a vital business sector.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to deepen the internal market and that the state should facilitate trade, based on the idea that Sweden's prosperity is built on a vital business sector. An export ban that without compelling reason excludes a Swedish product contradicts the free movement the plan is based on. The plan does not specifically address snus, but the principle supports the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill fördjupa den inre marknaden och att staten ska underlätta för handel, med utgångspunkten att Sveriges välstånd bygger på ett livskraftigt näringsliv. Ett exportförbud som utan övertygande skäl stänger ute en svensk produkt strider mot den fria rörligheten planen bygger på. Planen behandlar inte snus särskilt, men principen bär motförslagets krav.
- deepened internal marketdecisive»Fördjupa den inre marknaden, inte minst för tjänster och digitala produkter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Deepen the internal market, not least for services and digital products”
- the state shall facilitate trade»och underlätta för handel och internationalisering.« (party programme ↗)“and facilitate trade and internationalisation.”
- vital business sector»Sveriges välstånd bygger på ett dynamiskt och livskraftigt näringsliv.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden's prosperity is built on a dynamic and vital business sector.”
- decisions at the lowest level»Beslut ska fattas på lägsta möjliga nivå, så nära medborgarna som möjligt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Decisions shall be made at the lowest possible level, as close to citizens as possible.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires that Swedish interests be protected in international contexts, that national self-determination be strengthened and that Sweden's position in trade be improved, while free trade is embraced without a more integrated political union.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that Swedish interests be protected in international contexts, that national self-determination be strengthened and that Sweden's position in trade be improved, while free trade is embraced without a more integrated political union. An EU ban that shuts out a Swedish product from the export market goes against this, and working to have the ban lifted aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att svenska intressen värnas i internationella sammanhang, att det nationella självbestämmandet stärks och att Sveriges ställning i handeln förbättras, samtidigt som frihandeln bejakas utan en mer integrerad politisk union. Ett EU-förbud som stänger ute en svensk produkt från exportmarknaden går emot detta, och att verka för att förbudet upphävs ligger i linje med planen.
- Swedish interests firstdecisive»Värna svenska intressen i internationella sammanhang« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Protect Swedish interests in international contexts”
- national self-determination»Stärka det nationella självbestämmandet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen national self-determination”
- free trade without supranationality»Sverigedemokraterna anser att fri handel mellan europeiska länder är av stort värde för vår ekonomi men det finns inget behov av en mer integrerad politisk union för att åtnjuta frihandelns fördelar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats believes that free trade between European countries is of great value to our economy but there is no need for a more integrated political union to enjoy the benefits of free trade.”
- strengthened Swedish trade»Förbättra Sveriges ställning på den internationella marknaden och i handel« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Improve Sweden's position on the international market and in trade”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2022/23:NU12)
- Committee report full text (HA01NU12)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2022/23:1014 — Ett konkurrenskraftigt svenskt väginfrastruktursystem av Thomas Morell m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:1061 — Upphävande av förbudet mot handel med sälprodukter av Sanne Lennström och Gustaf Lantz (båda S)
- Motion 2022/23:1090 — Handel med sälprodukter av Alexandra Anstrell (M)
- Motion 2022/23:1121 — Fler företag, fler jobb och stärkt konkurrenskraft i hela landet av Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:1206 — Export av snus i Europeiska unionen av Jesper Skalberg Karlsson (M)
- Motion 2022/23:1269 — Utökade handelsförbindelser och utbyte med Taiwan av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:1497 — Skyddsjakt på säl och skarv av Lili André (KD)
- Motion 2022/23:1673 — Jämställdhet för hållbar utveckling av Annie Lööf m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:1758 — Afrikas horn av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:1802 — Ökat handelsutbyte med Kosovo av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2022/23:1879 — En fokuserad utvecklingsagenda bortom 2030 av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:1882 — En starkare liberal demokrati av Malin Björk m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:1952 — Strategi för ökad produktion och export av svensk mat av Sten Bergheden (M)
- Motion 2022/23:2064 — Handel och exportfrämjande av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:2144 — Satsningar på Stockholms skärgård av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:2170 — För en stark grön näringslivsutveckling av Elin Söderberg m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2022/23:2190 — Ledarskap för klimat och grön omställning av Annie Lööf m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:2261 — En grön feministisk utvecklings- och biståndspolitik av Janine Alm Ericson m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2022/23:547 — Utreda omfattningen av produkter som framkommit genom slavarbete av Markus Wiechel och Alexander Christiansson (båda SD)
- Motion 2022/23:849 — Internationellt samarbete i en ny tid av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C)
Source: The Swedish Parliament