STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 14, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- "Today's ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) is, of course, a disappointment to us, but it does not come as a surprise," says Bo Aulin, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Swedish Match, in a comment to the outcome of the two court cases now determined by the ECJ. "We had turned to the Court to get an objective, unbiased and legally based assessment and ruling, but unfortunately it seems the Court have chosen to deliver a political rather than legal judgment. This does not improve the reputation of the European Union in Sweden."
"Sweden was the first country to reach WHO's goal of less than 20 percent cigarette smokers among its population, which would not have happened if the Swedish cigarette smokers would not have had access to snus as an alternative product," says Bo Aulin. Today, male cigarette smoking is at the level of 16 percent in Sweden, while snus is being used by approximately 20 percent. In the two most northern counties in Sweden a record low 3.4 percent of 24-35 year old men smoke cigarettes, while more than 30 percent consume snus. As a result of this unique tobacco use pattern, Sweden has lower incidents of all tobacco related deceases and could serve as an example to follow by many other countries in their effort to reduce tobacco related harm.
"Snus is clearly a significantly less harmful product than cigarettes and could play an important role in a much more responsible harm reduction strategy than the current cynical Quit or Die approach," states Bo Aulin. "This is therefore a sad day, not only for Swedish Match, but for all of those true public health representatives who advocate the harm reduction avenue and, even more importantly, the millions of European cigarette smokers who will continue to smoke their cigarettes in the absence of a better and viable alternative."
"The current situation serves no other interest than that of Big Tobacco (i.e. the cigarette companies)," says Bo Aulin. "This ban on snus is absurd and must be replaced with a more sensible regulation and, regardless of the judgment by the ECJ today, Swedish Match remains confident that the days are counted for the present unfortunate ban. There is simply no rational reason to deprive cigarette smokers in the entire European Union access to a far less harmful alternative to their cigarettes."
"The legal route, however, has come to an end. This is now a matter for the political decision makers in the different EU institutions. The Swedish Government have stood by us in our legal challenge. The Government now must continue to take its responsibility in the political process and play an active role to remove the current ban, which is discriminatory to a Swedish manufacturer, but also to Sweden as a member state as well as to a million Swedish consumers," ends Bo Aulin.
Swedish Match is a unique company with its range of market-leading brands in the product areas of snuff and chewing tobacco, cigars and pipe tobacco -- tobacco's niche products -- as well as matches and lighters. The Group's global operations generated sales of 13,141MSEK in 140 countries for the twelve month period ending September 30, 2004. Swedish Match shares are listed on Stockholmsborsen (SWMA).
Swedish Match AB (publ), SE-118 85 Stockholm Visiting address: Rosenlundsgatan 36, Telephone: + 46 8 658 02 00 Corporate Identity Number: 556015-0756 www.swedishmatch.com
For further information, please contact:
Bo Aulin, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel Office +46 8 658 03 64, Mobile +46 70 558 03 64 Emmett Harrison, Vice President, Investor Relations (IR) Office +46 8 658 01 73, Mobile +46 70 938 01 73
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