Åland May Reject EU Constitution over Snuff Row

Åland's own government seems poised to reject the constitution, partly because of general discontent with the EU as well as over a row over the right to sell snuff.

Minister of Migration and European Affairs Astrid Thors says Finland could still ratify the constitution, but then it would not be in effect in Åland - a situation she finds untenable.

"I understand that over the years a certain dissatisfaction with the way the EU has handled things has emerged. The Finnish government tries to create rules by which we communicate Åland's views on issues related to the province directly to EU officials."

One of the dealbreakers for Åland is a ban on selling snuff in Finland - which the EU says includes Åland and all ships registered in Åland. The provincial government in Åland wants the EU directive to allow ships registered in Åland to sell snuff at least while in Swedish waters, where snuff sales are legal. Without this special dispensation, Åland feels that it will lose a large part of its port-of-call business, as ships will choose to register in Sweden instead.

"The Commission's interpretation of the snuff issue clearly harms the competitiveness of Åland and Finnish ships compared to Swedish ships. It's clear that this rubs them the wrong way, but I would hope that an agreement can be reached instead of this kind of stonewalling," Thors says.