NIKOTIINIPUSSIEN TILANNE
Nicotine Pouch Law and Situation in Finland 2023
Nicotine pouches are a popular alternative to tobacco-based products such as cigarettes and snus. They are not regulated as pharmaceutical products because they do not contain any tobacco, but instead are categorized as consumer products and governed by general product safety regulations. A move to tax nicotine pouches would be a step backwards for consumers, who have found a safer substitute to the more harmful habit of smoking.
Legality
Currently, nicotine pouches are subject to strict regulations and must be sold only in shops that have obtained a permit from their municipality. It is also prohibited to advertise them and display them at sales outlets. Furthermore, it is against the law to offer volume discounts and bonuses. Those who violate the rules can be reported to Valvira, Finland’s national health and welfare authority. Fimea’s decision has prompted discussion about how to regulate nicotine pouches moving forward. The new government plans to align them with tobacco legislation and regulate them to prevent use among youth, curb grey imports, and combat organised crime. Stromer is worried that Finnish bureaucrats will ignore scientific research and accepted democratic practices to pursue their moral crusade against vaping. He points out that Sweden, where snus and similar products are legal and regulated as tobacco, has lower nikotiinipussit verotus rates of smoking and lung cancer. It would be irresponsible for Finnish politicians to take such a risk with the lives of their constituents.
Taxation
Nicotine pouches are subject to varying levels of regulation around the world. Many governments prohibit the sale of these products altogether, while others regulate them only partially or selectively. The Institute for Global Tobacco Control (IGTC) tracks and reports regulatory approaches worldwide. The ministry will continue to strengthen its cooperation with inter-national partners. For example, it will continue to support the activities of ATAF as a long-standing and strong part- ner. It will also be involved in processes that are crucial to strengthening taxation capacity in African countries. The Government Programme does not entail significant changes to Finland’s taxation system. The objective is to refrain from raising the overall tax rate and to promote employment, entrepreneurship, and investment. The programme includes a moderate shift from income taxation to indirect and real estate taxation, but does not include increases in corporate or capital tax rates. Einari Karhu, Esa-Pekka Saari, and Anna-Riikka Nummi from Borenius Law Firm have written a legal alert on the action programme.
Online sales
Online sales of nicotine pouches are growing in Finland. They are sold by many different vendors, but they must comply with regulations regarding age limits, display and marketing. In addition, they must comply with self-monitoring requirements and purchase rebate bans. This is to ensure that they are not taken up by non-nicotine users or used in combination with combustible tobacco products. The nicotine pouch market in Finland is regulated by the Tobacco Act and the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. Municipalities supervise compliance with the Tobacco Act in their respective areas. They also enforce the marketing and display restrictions on nicotine pouches. Recently, the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) changed the classification of nicotine pouches from medicinal to tobacco-like products. This change has implications for snusdaddy’s sales in the country. The company is already working to make its online store compatible with the new classification. It is expected to be ready by spring 2023.
Advertising
The new Finnish government plans to regulate nicotine pouches as tobacco products, and will include them in the Tobacco Act. It also wants to limit their sales and restrict their marketing. Retailers will need a licence, nicotine limits similar to those in neighbouring countries will be set, and only flavours intended for adults will be allowed. Stromer is concerned that the Finnish government may be pursuing regulatory activism that could harm public health and market freedom. He points out that Sweden, where snus and nicotine pouches are available and regulated as tobacco products, has lower rates of smoking-related diseases than Finland. As Finland charts its course, snus and nicotine pouch enthusiasts will watch with interest to see what impact the policy shift will have on the industry. To find out more about the Nicotine Pouch Law and situation in Finland in 2023, we recommend you go to the Pouches, Puff & Pouch website and read the article, “Situation of Nicotine Pouches in Finland 09/23”.
Puff & Pouch was born out of a desire to create a premium product. Puff & Pouch is more than just a nicotine pouch brand! When you choose Puff & Pouch products, you support a domestic company. In Finland, their product is by far the most in demand product and has already sold in more than 500 retailers throughout the country. They have a ready-made buyer base and data that their product is clearly the most in demand. Their products are for people that truly demand quality! All of their products meet the highest quality standards. The ingredients used in their products are selected by their Finnish team. Puff & Pouch is Finland’s leading nicotine pouch brand! Find out more by visiting the Puff & Pouch website at https://puffandpouch.com/fi/nikotiinipussit-suomessa/ to read the article, “Situation of Nicotine Pouches in Finland 09/23”. You will be happy that you did!
