E.U. commissioner quits in corruption scandal

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Brussels • E.U. Health Commissioner John Dalli has resigned over corruption allegations involving tobacco legislation, but denies wrongdoing.

Dalli resigned Tuesday after the E.U.'s anti-fraud office found that he was aware of an attempt at corruption surrounding new legislation on the tobacco product snus.

The E.U. Commission said in a statement Dalli resigned ''with immediate effect." It said the anti-fraud office ''did not find any conclusive evidence" of Dalli's direct involvement but considered ''that he was aware of these events."

Snus is a Swedish type of smokeless tobacco, sold in loose form or in paper sachets that users stuff under their upper lip.

Snus sales are banned in the European Union, except in Sweden, which insisted on an exemption when it joined the E.U.