Iceland Reports 30% Youth Use of Nicotine Pouches; Health Minister to Introduce Regulation Bill

Key points:

1.Icelandic parliament member Halla Hrund Logadóttir expresses concern about the marketing of nicotine pouches to teenagers.

2.Health Minister Alma Möller has promised to introduce legislation in the fall to restrict the marketing of nicotine pouches.

3.A study shows that 30% of young people in Iceland use nicotine pouches, making it the country with the highest usage rate in the Nordic region.

4.The new law will regulate the packaging and advertising of nicotine products to protect children and teenagers from being misled.

According to the Icelandic media Icelandreview, Icelandic lawmakers have raised concerns about the widespread use of nicotine pouches among young people in Iceland. Progressive Party MP Halla Hrund Logadóttir emphasized during a parliamentary meeting that the popularity of nicotine pouches among Icelandic youth is worrisome.

Halla criticized the marketing strategy of the nicotine pouch retailer Svens. She pointed out that this harmful product is being promoted as if it were a type of chewing gum, endorsed by a cartoon superhero figure, making it appealing to a wider audience. According to a study by the Nordic Welfare Council, 30% of young people in Iceland use nicotine pouches, the highest proportion among Nordic countries.

Meanwhile, Halla mentioned that nicotine shops are springing up like mushrooms, replacing the once popular video rental stores, and selling one of the most addictive substances globally. She called on the health minister to explain the measures being taken.

Minister of Health Alma Möller agrees with Halla's concerns. Alma mentioned that e-cigarettes used to be popular, but their usage has decreased, and now nicotine pouches have become a new issue.

While these products are beneficial for adults looking to quit smoking, they are often marketed directly towards children and teenagers. The Health Minister plans to introduce a bill at the upcoming fall parliamentary session aimed at unifying legislation on tobacco and nicotine products in order to protect children and teenagers.

The bill will include regulations on labeling and advertising for nicotine pouches. According to Law No. 87/2018, packaging of nicotine products must include clear health warnings, instructions for use and storage, and may not contain any text, images, or slogans that specifically appeal to children and adolescents. The Minister of Health may issue regulations on the appearance of packaging to ensure that minors are not attracted to the products.