All political parties that responded to questions from anti-addiction organisations agreed on the need to curb nicotine pouch use among children and adolescents. However, only the Independence Party and the Liberal Reform Party supported dissolving the State Alcohol and Tobacco Company (ÁTVR) and allowing alcohol sales in general retail stores.
All parties in agreement on nicotine pouches
As reported by IR in August, one in four Icelanders exhibited harmful alcohol consumption patterns in 2022, with men being more prone to risky drinking than women. The incidence of cirrhosis has significantly increased.
RÚV also reported earlier this year that approximately 11.5% of Icelanders aged 18 and older used nicotine pouches daily in 2023, representing a 4.1% rise from 2020.
Read More: Insecticide with a Buzz (On the growing use of nicotine pouches among Icelandic youth)
Given these trends, a coalition of anti-addiction organisations submitted a two-part questionnaire to all ten political parties running in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Vísir reports. All political parties that responded to the questions expressed their intention to curb the use of nicotine pouches among children and adolescents.
Only two parties, however, the Independence Party and the Liberal Reform Party (Viðreisn), stated that they would support the dissolution of the State Alcohol and Tobacco Company (ÁTVR) and the authorisation of alcohol sales in general retail stores.
This information is revealed in a joint press release from the Educational and Prevention Organisation (Fræðsla og forvarnir), the Parents’ Association Against Alcohol Advertising (Foreldrasamtök gegn áfengisauglýsingum), IOGT in Iceland (the International Organisation of Good Templars), and the Coalition of Organisations for Prevention, Vísir reports.
Public’s right to know
According to the release, responses were received from the Progressive Party, the Social Democratic Alliance, the Independence Party, the Socialist Party, the Left-Green Movement, the People’s Party, and the Reform Party, while the Democracy Party, the Centre Party, and the Pirate Party did not respond.
“Due to the concerning developments in nicotine pouch and alcohol-related issues, which are both significant public health and societal matters, prevention organisations believe that the public has the right to know the political parties’ stance on these issues as the formation of a new government draws near,” the press release, as quoted by Vísir, notes.
“[We] believe the responses from the parties reflect their consensus on protecting children and young people from nicotine, but a lack of agreement on alcohol sales. Centre and left-wing parties do not support the dissolution of ÁTVR and the sale of alcohol in regular stores, citing public health and societal concerns. Right-wing parties, on the other hand, advocate for the dissolution of ÁTVR and the sale of alcohol in general stores, aiming to increase retail freedom.”
While the consensus on protecting against nicotine is welcomed, the lack of consensus on alcohol sales is a significant concern for prevention organisations,” the press release concludes.
As noted by Vísir, the questions asked were:
- Does your party believe it is necessary to curb the increasing use of nicotine pouches among children and adolescents? If so, what measures would you like the government to take?
- Does your party support the dissolution of ÁTVR and the sale of alcohol in regular stores?
