Market & legal data in the tobacco alternatives sector in Austria

4th July 2024: Austria: Following other federal states, including Upper Austria and Salzburg, the Styrian state parliament has banned nicotine pouches for under-18s and approved an age-verification mechanism. State councillor Simone Schmiedtbauer said: “As early as 2022, 13% of young people said they had consumed nicotine pouches or similar products in the past month. We are now putting a stop to this in Styria – for the sake of the health of our youngest.”
3rd June 2024: Austria: The ban on nicotine pouches for under-18s in the city of Salzburg entered into force on 1st June, press reports. The ban includes purchase, possession, distribution and consumption. While there is no prohibition at the federal level, a number of cities and federal states have passed or are working on bills to ban nicotine pouches for minors.
28th May 2024: Austria: In the run-up to “International No Tobacco Day” (31st May), the authorities of Lower Austria stressed the need for a nationwide regulation on nicotine pouches. State councillor Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig supported the decision to include nicotine pouches in the amendment to the Tobacco and Non-Smokers Protection Act, which was adopted a few weeks ago by the Conference of State Health Officers. She said: “I very much hope that the Federal Government will accept the unanimous decision of the Conference of State Health Officers and implement it in the next few weeks.”
8th May 2024: Austria: At a conference held yesterday (7th May), state health officials spoke out in favour of a nationwide ban on tobacco-free nicotine pouches, press reports. The deputy governor of Upper Austria, Christine Haberlander, of the ruling Austrian People's Party, pointed out that Upper Austria already has a ban for under-18s, while adding “but this is not the case in all federal states”.
17th April 2024: Austria: After a number of federal states have passed or are working on bills to ban nicotine pouches for minors (under 18) – such as Upper Austria, Tyrol, Salzburg and Styria – a representative from the ruling Austrian People’s Party told the press that they stand by the current regulation, which has no age limit at federal level.
28th March 2024: Austria: As of 1st April, heated tobacco tax will increase to €180 per kg. The tax will increase gradually to €197 per kg from 1st April 2025 and €215 per kg from 1st April 2026.
13th March 2024: Austria (Styria): The Austrian government has notified a bill to the European Commission's TRIS database to amend the Styrian Youth Act to prohibit the purchase, possession and consumption of nicotine pouches and other nicotine-containing products by children and adolescents (up to the age of 18). The standstill period ends on 13th June 2024. Styria is a region in the south-east of Austria with a population of around 1.2m.
23rd January 2024: Austria: The Ministry of Health has told TobaccoIntelligence that comprehensive regulations for nicotine pouches and other tobacco-free nicotine products are planned for the next amendment to the Tobacco and Non-Smoker Protection Act. The draft amendment is currently being discussed. The content of the negotiations and the timeline have not been disclosed.
18th October 2023: Austria (Salzburg): The Austrian government has notified a bill to the European Commission's TRIS database to amend the Salzburg Youth Act to prohibit the purchase, possession and consumption of nicotine pouches by children and adolescents (up to the age of 16). The standstill period ends on 18th January 2024.
17th July 2023: Austria: The Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection has drawn up a non-exhaustive list of prohibited substances in tobacco products. The list is intended to specify the ingredient restrictions set by the Tobacco and Non-Smoker Protection Act. Ingredients such as cannabidiol and melatonin are included in the list.
13th June 2023: Austria: The Ministry of Health has told TobaccoIntelligence that an amendment to the Tobacco and Non-Smokers Protection Act, which among other things will regulate nicotine pouches, is currently undergoing political co-ordination and will later be submitted to Parliament. No specific dates were disclosed.
31st March 2023: Austria: As approved in the Budget Accompanying Bill 2023, starting tomorrow (1st April), the tax on heated tobacco will increase from €149 per kg to €164 per kg, with a gradual increase until 2026.

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