Regulations for improved public health

July 2026 European Committee

Greedy companies profit from poor health and addiction worldwide. Tobacco companies, for example, have long been known for spreading misinformation and manipulating research to maintain sales. Tobacco use alone causes millions of deaths globally each year and places a heavy economic burden on societies. Similarly, alcohol consumption contributes to widespread health problems, social costs, and preventable deaths around the world.
Unhealthy eating habits are, after tobacco, the lifestyle factor causing the most ill health and premature death in Sweden. Diet-related health issues are caused by high intake of salt, sugar, and energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods. For a long time, public health policy has focused on individual choices rather than the companies producing the food. Influence over the food industry today relies on voluntary agreements between the National Food Agency and relevant industry organizations. In other words, there are no effective state mechanisms to regulate food producers. Based on this, we propose:
That IUSY advocates for a ban on the marketing of all alcohol and nicotine products.