Health experts are skeptical of the potential of snus and smokeless tobacco as tools to help smokers quit, the New Zealand Herald reports.
New Zealand's newly elected government reversed the previous government's ban and agreed to "reform the regulation of e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and oral nicotine products".
E-cigarettes are currently used as a smoking cessation tool in the country, while heated tobacco products are not widely available and oral nicotine products are banned.
"The early information I'm getting about oral nicotine is that it's being used very successfully in Scandinavian countries," said Deputy Health Minister Kathy Costello.
"I think Sweden was one of the first countries in Europe to get below the 5% threshold. And to what extent oral nicotine products are contributing to that - I'd really like to know how that works."
Tobacco control experts, however, are not sold on the idea. "Chewing tobacco is probably much less harmful than smoking, but it's not completely safe," said Chris Bullen, a professor who specializes in tobacco control at the University of Auckland. "In my personal opinion, I don't think it's a good idea to introduce other products in New Zealand."
Bullen and University of Otago professor Janet Hawke said the example of Sweden was troubling because snus has so much cultural significance in Sweden compared to New Zealand. Brun also noted that snus is widely available in Sweden and has been purified to remove particularly harmful ingredients that are difficult to replicate.
Hawke also expressed concern that the new government's policies are closely aligned with the tobacco industry. "We know that tobacco companies and the groups they fund have long wanted a freer tobacco market, so we need to watch this area carefully," she said.
According to Hawke, there is stronger evidence that desmoking, reducing retail outlets and creating a smoke-free generation is possible. The measures were part of legislation that was repealed.
The new government has agreed to increase penalties for those caught selling vaping products to people under 18 and consider requiring those selling vaping products to obtain a license.
