Market & regulatory data for the vapour sector in Finland

2nd September 2024: Finland: Smoke-free Finland Day, held on 30th August, aimed to promote a smoke-free and nicotine-free Finland, with a focus on the well-being of children and young people, media reports. The use of addictive nicotine products, including vaping products and nicotine pouches, among young people is rising in the country. Ella Lounasto, the coordinator of preventive substance abuse and violence work, said that it is important for adults, educational institutions, and organisations to provide accurate information and support to prevent substance abuse and promote the well-being of young people.
26th August 2024: Finland: The Finnish government has proposed increases in tax levels for cigarettes, rolled tobacco, pipe tobacco, cigars and cigarillos, which would take effect in six stages from November 2024 to July 2027. Notably, the tax levels for e-liquids, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches would remain unchanged.
17th May 2024: Finland: The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) have jointly issued recommendations to support the end of tobacco and nicotine use in welfare regions by 2030. Finland is divided into 21 well-being services counties. The recommendations are aimed at social and healthcare providers.
15th April 2024: Finland: The Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention (EHYT) conducted an online survey in January with 1,008 Finns aged between 15 and 29 participating. It showed that the use of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches has increased among young people, whereas the use of tobacco and snuff has remained unchanged, media reports.
18th December 2023: Finland: According to a study by the Institute of Health and Welfare (THL), additional measures should be implemented to achieve the goal of the Tobacco Act (no more than 5% of the population using tobacco or nicotine products by 2030), media reports. These measures include regular tax increases together with raising the age limit to 20.
1st December 2023: Finland: The parliament has published the adopted government bill on tobacco taxes with some changes. If signed by the president, non-liquid smokeless nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, would be subject to a 10% ad valorem tax and a unit tax of €0.10 per g as of 1st January 2024. The minimum tax for such products is set to be €0.14 per g. For nicotine pouches released for consumption on or after 9th October 2023, the tax will apply as of 1st July 2024. Additionally, the bill covers liquid smokeless nicotine products, which would be taxed at a rate of €0.30 per ml. This change prepares for the possibility that liquid smokeless nicotine products will eventually enter the Finnish market. The parliament’s Information Service has confirmed to ECigIntelligence that such products could be, for example, nicotine-containing gel products and nicotine-containing mouth sprays. The bill does not impose changes to the taxation of e-liquids and heated tobacco.
30th November 2023: Finland: On Tuesday, 28th November, the parliament adopted a government bill on tobacco tax changes in the second reading. If signed by the president, as of 1st January 2024, nicotine pouches will be subject to a 10% ad valorem tax and a unit tax of €0.10 per g. Additionally, the minimum tax for such products is set to be €0.14 per g. The bill does not impose changes to the taxation of e-liquids and heated tobacco.
15th November 2023: Finland: Last month, the government presented a bill on tobacco tax changes as of 1st January 2024. If adopted, nicotine pouches would be subject to a 10% ad valorem tax and a unit tax of €0.10 per g. Additionally, the minimum tax for such products is set to be €0.14 per g. The bill does not impose changes to the taxation of e-liquids and heated tobacco.
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. E-cigarette regulation was not addressed in the new government's draft programme, presented on Friday. Parliament will now vote on the appointment of Petteri Orpo (National Coalition Party) as prime minister, but no date has been set.
19th May 2023: Finland: As noted in our compliance calendar, manufacturers and importers of e-cigarette products, irrespective of nicotine presence, must submit market data to the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) no later than 20th May. The same should be done with the information about suspected adverse reactions to human health.
10th May 2023: Finland: A regional administrative court has overturned a local ban on vape stores selling flavoured nicotine-free e-liquids, media reports. The ruling follows an appeal by three shops in the cities of Hämeenlinna and Tampere against a ban on them selling liquids as food flavourings. The court agreed that the place of sale could not be used as grounds for preventing trade in products that are not in themselves banned under the Tobacco Act. The local authorities may appeal against the decision to the Supreme Administrative Court.
9th May 2023: Finland: The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) has confirmed to ECigIntelligence that multipacks of refill containers are not banned under the Tobacco Act, and the situation has not changed with the new plain packaging regulation. However, the authority specified that each refill container in a multipack must be packed separately in its own unit packet, which must comply with the packaging and labelling requirements.

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