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View allAlternative tobacco and nicotine products in Finland
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Global business and regulatory news covering the alternative tobacco industry
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Daily regulatory updates of the tobacco alternative sector. It includes weekly podcasts and monthly compilations
22nd September 2023
Finland: The government has decided to ban nicotine pouches containing 20 mg of nicotine or more. In June 2023, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) temporarily banned their sale and placing on the market. The government's decision replaces the temporary decision of Tukes and will enter into force on 28th September 2023. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is also preparing a proposal seeking to bring nicotine pouches under the regulation of the Tobacco Act.1st September 2023
- Finland: The government's bill to regulate nicotine pouches under the Tobacco Act is scheduled to be brought to the parliament during the autumn session, media reports. As we reported in June, the sale of nicotine pouches will be subject to a permit and nicotine limits. Among other changes included in the new government's programme, taxation for nicotine pouches will also be introduced.
30th June 2023
- Finland: In a notification to EU member states sent last Wednesday, Finnish authorities justified the ban on pouches with a nicotine content over 20 mg/pouch because "nicotine pouches are available in flavors such as fruit, licorice and cola. The products are also packed in attractive-looking boxes, which can further increase the interest of even very young children in the products. There is a risk that children swallow nicotine pouches and get nicotine poisoning, which can cause serious health problems and even death ... if there are nicotine pouches on the market with a nicotine dose of 20 mg/pouch or more."
19th June 2023
- Finland: After almost seven weeks, the new government negotiations were finalised last week. The new coalition consists of the National Coalition Party (centre-right), the Finns Party (right-wing), the Swedish People's Party (centre) and the Christian Democrats (centre-right), media reports. The coalition will hold 108 seats out of 200 in the parliament. The new government's draft programme, presented on Friday, specifies that nicotine pouches will be included in the scope of the Tobacco Act, and their sale will be allowed in compliance with the rules that aim to prevent youth use, grey imports and illegal trade. Their retail would be subject to a permit and nicotine limits. The draft also contains provisions to introduce nicotine pouch taxation and to tighten tobacco taxes. Parliament will now vote on the appointment of Petteri Orpo (National Coalition Party) as prime minister, but no date has been set.
19th June 2023
- Finland: Last week the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) prohibited the sale of nicotine pouches containing 20 mg or more of nicotine. The decision – which will enter into force on 21st June – based on the Chemical Act is temporary and has been made before the corresponding amendments are included in the Finnish Tobacco Act.
6th June 2023
Finland: The leaders of a number of health organisations, including the Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention (EHYT), have written an open letter to retail operators urging them not to sell nicotine pouches while regulation is in the process of being rewritten, media reports.
30th May 2023
Finland: The industry association Vapers Finland has criticised the latest government proposal on nicotine pouches. The government intends to add a definition of “smokeless nicotine products” to the Tobacco Act, covering nicotine pouches and regulating them in the same manner as snus. This would mean a ban on their sale and distribution, and on importation except for specific exemptions. The comment period on the proposal ended last week.
19th May 2023
- Finland: As noted in our compliance calendar, manufacturers and importers of tobacco products must submit market data to the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) no later than 20th May.
11th May 2023
Finland: The Ministry of Health announced today that the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) and other authorities will decide whether an interim ban on the sale of nicotine pouches should be imposed under the Chemicals Act. A government proposal to ban pouches by an amendment to the Tobacco Act was submitted to the EU Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) at the end of April.
28th April 2023
- Finland: Finland has submitted the draft of the government's proposal to amend the Tobacco Act regarding nicotine pouches to the EU Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS). The proposed amendment would add the definition for a smokeless nicotine product, covering nicotine pouches and regulating them in the same manner as oral tobacco. This would mean a ban on their sale, other handing over and transfer, as well as a ban on their importation, with minor exceptions. It also proposes to ban their use on playgrounds and in the indoor and outdoor spaces of specific educational institutions. The date for the end of the standstill period has not yet been announced.
28th April 2023
- Finland: Standard packaging for tobacco products will be introduced on 1st May. The Tobacco Act specifies that from that date, tobacco product packaging must not have distinctive features that differentiates one product from another. A Ministry of Social Affairs and Health decree provides more details on labelling and appearance requirements.
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