Finland's Strict Laws on E-Cigarettes and Smoking Alternatives

Mar.28.2023
Finland's Strict Laws on E-Cigarettes and Smoking Alternatives
Finland bans nasal snuff and heavily regulates e-cigarettes, promoting nicotine replacement therapy and a smoke-free country by 2030.

According to a report by Filter, Finland has banned snuff and has strict laws regulating electronic cigarettes. In Finland, it is prohibited to use electronic cigarettes in all smoke-free areas, to use flavored tobacco other than tobacco, to advertise, and to sell electronic cigarettes online or across borders. Despite this, an estimated 38,000 people nationwide still use nicotine electronic cigarettes.


In Finland, approximately 900,000 citizens are cigarette users, leading to a thriving market for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Products such as chewing tobacco and nicotine patches are a priority for development in the NRT market, and can be easily purchased nationwide without a prescription.


Finland plans to achieve its goal of becoming a "smoke-free Finland" by 2040, a goal that has since been brought forward to 2030. Despite the government acknowledging the lesser harm of e-cigarettes compared to traditional smoking, Jari Ollikka, chairman and co-founder of the Finnish e-cigarette association, says the government has not encouraged people to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking. Finland's approach to smoking remains focused on the belief that quitting cold turkey is the only way to reduce harm.


Finland will hold parliamentary elections in April, and Ollikka stated that some political parties are pushing for the legalization of snuff. "So, I think this is a good opportunity to influence politicians and get them to also lift restrictions on e-cigarettes.


References:


Finland supports Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) over the approach of harm reduction.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Global Tobacco Control Faces Regional Adaptation Test as Nicotine Markets Evolve, Asian Specialist Says
Global Tobacco Control Faces Regional Adaptation Test as Nicotine Markets Evolve, Asian Specialist Says
As e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches expand across global markets, a central question is gaining urgency: can tobacco control rely on a universal policy model? In an interview with 2Firsts, Asian public health and addiction medicine specialist Dr. Rashidi Mohamed bin Pakri Mohamed says Western experience remains relevant, but policies must be adapted to local culture, healthcare systems, enforcement capacity, illicit markets and clinical evidence.
Jul.08
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
According to The Star and The Edge Malaysia, tobacco control groups in Malaysia have urged the government to raise tobacco taxes by at least 5% annually, saying the measure could reduce smoking rates and fund public health and social programmes.
News
May.26
From Brands to Supply Chains: 2Firsts Builds a PMTA Compliance Service System for the U.S. Market
From Brands to Supply Chains: 2Firsts Builds a PMTA Compliance Service System for the U.S. Market
2Firsts supports new tobacco and nicotine companies entering the U.S. market with full-chain PMTA compliance services.
Jun.04
Philippine Customs Seizes $2.22 Million in Misdeclared Vape Products From China
Philippine Customs Seizes $2.22 Million in Misdeclared Vape Products From China
The Philippine Bureau of Customs said it intercepted nine containers of misdeclared vape and vape-related products from China at the Manila International Container Port, with an estimated value of about ₱137 millionor, about $2.22 million.
Jul.10
BAT Restructuring to Affect 9,000 Roles as Tobacco Group Pushes Cost Cuts and AI
BAT Restructuring to Affect 9,000 Roles as Tobacco Group Pushes Cost Cuts and AI
British American Tobacco (BAT) plans to cut about 5,500 jobs globally and shift around 3,500 roles to strategic partners by the end of 2026, affecting about 9,000 roles in total, as the company seeks to simplify operations, strengthen technology capabilities and deliver £600 million in annual savings by 2028.
BAT
Jun.29
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
IQOS Global Flagship Space to Open in Tokyo Ginza as PMI Expands Consumer Experience Strategy
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) announced that it will open “IQOS Flagship Ginza” in Tokyo on September 4, 2026. The location will become the first global flagship space for PMI’s IQOS brand. PMJ said the venue will target adult smokers aged 20 and above and combine product experiences, community engagement and local cultural elements. The design will incorporate Japanese natural aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship. The launch reflects PMI’s broader strategy of strengthening consumer engagement through experiential retail and brand spaces. The existing IQOS Store Ginza is scheduled to close on August 30, 2026.
Jul.21