Company which made Dalli claims battles for 'fair process' for product

The Swedish company which made the allegations which caused John Dalli's resignation from the European Commission has said in a statement that it expects that the European Commission in the future will ensure a transparent and legally fair process for the proposal of a new Tobacco Products Directive. The company is a major producer of snus, whose sale is banned in the EU, but Sweden so far enjoys an exemption. Snus is a moist powder tobacco product consumed by placing it under the lip for extended periods of time. "Swedish Match expects that proven scientific facts regarding snus, including the well documented significantly lower health risks compared to cigarettes which are allowed in the EU, are considered in a continued fair legal process for the proposal of a new Tobacco Products Directive," the company said. Mr Dalli was piloting the process for a new directive. Swedish Match said that it received a proposal by a Maltese businessman claiming to be able to influence the outcome of the ongoing review of the Tobacco Products Directive, in exchange for financial compensation.   OLAF, the EU's anti-fraud office said no transaction was concluded between the...