Swedish EU parliamentarians have met tobacco lobbyists at least 30 times since 2024 ahead of the EU Commission's review of tobacco rules.
An SVT survey shows that most of the meetings were held by members from the Tidö parties. Jessica Polfjärd of the Moderates had eight meetings which is the highest in the health committee.
Polfjärd says it is important to protect the Swedish product. She also states that she has met representatives from both sides of the issue.
Left Party's Jonas Sjöstedt warns that the tobacco industry uses politicians as tools to open new markets. WHO recently raised alarm about the products' addictive properties and recommends stricter rules or bans.