The Danish Cancer Society is highly critical of nicotine pouches. But when comparing nicotine pouches to cigarettes, Prevention Manager Mette Lolk Hanak is clear. In an interview with podcast host Joachim B. Olsen from BT she admits that nicotine pouches are significantly less harmful than cigarettes.
"If you had to choose?"
"Mette Hanak, let's do a thought experiment; if you had to smoke or take snus, which would you choose?"
This was the question posed by Joachim B. Olsen in the podcast Bourgeois Tabloid. And although the head of prevention compared cigarettes and nicotine pouches to plague and cholera, she responded anyway:
"With your arm twisted all the way round - you're a strong man - I would choose nicotine pouches."
She added: "You could say that nicotine pouches are not as dangerous as smoking."
ØWant tight regulation
Despite this, the Danish Cancer Society wants strict regulation of nicotine pouches, as the organisation considers nicotine to be a harmful poison that can affect young people's brains. But Joachim B. Olsen, who uses nicotine pouches himself, challenged this view.
"On your website you write: 'Smoking increases the risk of more than 15 different cancers: How much does the use of nicotine pouches increase the risk of cancer?" asked Joachim B. Olsen.
"There is actually no evidence that nicotine itself causes cancer," replied Mette Hanak. "At least not with the knowledge we have now."
However, she pointed out that there is evidence that e-cigarettes can act as a gateway to smoking.
"Affects the brain"
Joachim B. Olsen challenged her again and urged the Danish Cancer Society to say:
"Don't smoke, don't use snus if you can help it. But if you absolutely must use a nicotine product, use snus - because it's far less dangerous."
Mette Hanak rejected this:
"It would be unthinkable for us at the Danish Cancer Society, as a health organisation, to recommend a product that is harmful to health."
She particularly referred to the risk to children and young people:
"There is evidence that nicotine affects the brain - and I think that's actually quite serious. You can become more prone to anxiety, depression and addiction to other products afterwards."
"Less harmful product"
Joachim B. Olsen referred to a report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, which concludes that snus is significantly less harmful than smoking and is used by many to quit smoking.
He asked why the Danish Cancer Society does not want to promote smoke-free products to save the thousands of Danish smokers who die every year from tobacco-related diseases.
"Your name is the Danish Cancer Society," said Joachim B. Olsen. "Your purpose is to fight cancer, so why won't you help the many people who die prematurely by switching to a much less harmful nicotine product?"
Zero tolerance for risk
Mette Hanak rejected the argument:
"Now you sound just like the nicotine industry!" she exclaimed.
"But is it wrong?" asked Joachim B. Olsen asked.
He pointed out that Swedes have been using snus for over 100 years and have lower rates of lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases.
"Isn't that a better situation? Isn't it a more desirable situation?" he asked.
But Mette Hanak held on to her position:
"I would like to see the burden of proof reversed and require manufacturers to prove that these products are not harmful at all before they are launched."
"Same nicotine as in chewing gum"
Joachim B. Olsen then asked about the difference between nicotine gum and nicotine pouches.
"I have yet to see 15-year-olds abusing nicotine gum - it's an authorised product," replied Mette Hanak.
"But it's exactly the same nicotine?" pointed out Joachim B. Olsen pointed out.
"Smoking is the worst"
The debate ended with Mette Hanak having the last word:
"Smoking is the worst and there is nothing worse."
Both parties agreed on this, said the head of prevention at the Danish Cancer Society.
"It's everything else we can't agree on - at least not today."
