In a swift reversal, the Finnish government has scrapped a plan to allow a wider range of nicotine pouch flavours and narrowed the options to mint and menthol.
The sudden change comes after controversy over a proposal that would have permitted additional flavours, such as tea, ginger, rosemary and wood – options pushed by a local manufacturer with political backing. The move has ignited tensions, with rival companies accusing the government of playing favourites and sparking new debates about public health, regulation and regional interests.