Norway to Ban Sale of Menthol and Capsule Cigarettes by 2024

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Nov.23.2023
Norway to Ban Sale of Menthol and Capsule Cigarettes by 2024
Norway will ban the sale of menthol cigarettes, capsule cigarettes, and flavored e-cigarettes by 2024, making it the last European country to do so.

According to a report from the Norwegian news website bt.no, Norway is set to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products called "bursting beads" by 2024, making it the last country in Europe to prohibit these types of products. Additionally, Norway will also prohibit the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.

 

Norway is one of the few countries in Europe that still allows the sale of menthol cigarettes and cigarettes with "burst beads". However, starting next year, this situation will change completely as the tobacco market in Norway will no longer offer flavored cigarettes or cigarettes with burst beads. The ban on flavors means that only e-cigarettes or supplements with a tobacco flavor will be available for sale in the market.

 

In fact, the ban on menthol cigarettes in Norway has been a long time coming. As part of the European Union Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), the Norwegian government had previously indicated its intention to implement this regulation in 2021. However, due to encountering some obstacles within the EU and other countries, the plan has been forced to be postponed.

 

The Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Services is projecting that this ban will come into effect in 2024, although the exact date has not been confirmed.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

EU Tobacco Tax Reform Stalls as Malta Withholds Support Despite Backing From 26 States
EU Tobacco Tax Reform Stalls as Malta Withholds Support Despite Backing From 26 States
EU finance ministers failed to reach agreement on tobacco excise reform at the November 9, 2026 Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) meeting in Brussels. The Irish Council presidency's compromise secured support from 26 of the EU's 27 member states, but Malta withheld consent, preventing the Council from reaching a general approach requiring unanimity. The reform would raise minimum taxes on conventional tobacco and bring e-cigarette liquids, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches into a common EU minimum excise framework. Finland and Estonia accepted further concessions during the meeting, while the presidency proposed separating the inclusion of nicotine pouches in the framework from setting their precise minimum tax rates. Another compromise would allow ten qualifying member states until 2036 to meet certain tobacco excise requirements. Ireland intends to continue negotiations in December.
Regulations
Nov.11
Philippines Mandates Safety Certification for Nicotine Pouches, Gives Industry 12 Months to Comply
Philippines Mandates Safety Certification for Nicotine Pouches, Gives Industry 12 Months to Comply
The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry has placed nicotine pouches under mandatory product certification through Department Administrative Order No. 26-07, Series of 2026. Nicotine pouches must obtain a Philippine Standard, or PS, license before they can be manufactured, imported, packed, distributed or sold in the country. The regime requires testing for nicotine content, pH and water activity, while packaging must disclose nicotine strength, ingredients, allergens, batch information, the PS certification mark and prescribed health warnings. Existing market participants have a 12-month transition period to comply.
Regulations
Oct.12
Reynolds Seeks to Join Altria Lawsuit Challenging FDA PMTA Rule and Calculation of 180-Day Deadline
Reynolds Seeks to Join Altria Lawsuit Challenging FDA PMTA Rule and Calculation of 180-Day Deadline
Three R.J. Reynolds companies are seeking to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Altria subsidiaries Helix Innovations and NJOY challenging the FDA's 2021 PMTA final rule. The companies dispute how the agency uses Acceptance and Filing reviews and completeness determinations to establish when the Tobacco Control Act's 180-day decision period begins. Reynolds has also linked prolonged PMTA reviews to competition from unauthorized vaping products. The FDA, meanwhile, has been accelerating reviews and reducing its backlog.
Sep.14
Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Product | Philip Morris Korea Launches Two TEREA ONYX Capsule Tobacco Sticks, Expanding Portfolio to Five Lines
Philip Morris Korea launched TEREA ONYX, a new tobacco stick line for IQOS ILUMA devices, on October 15, 2026. The initial products, AMANG PEARL and CALI PEARL, feature tropical-inspired flavors, Fresh Filters and capsules designed to deliver different flavor experiences before and after activation. Both are priced at KRW 4,800 per pack and are available at convenience stores nationwide and IQOS-operated stores in South Korea. The launch expands the Korean TEREA portfolio from four product lines to five, following earlier capsule tobacco stick additions in 2026.
product
Oct.23
Japan's Heated Tobacco Use Rises From 0.1% to 14.9% Over a Decade as Growth Extends Beyond Cigarette Switching
Japan's Heated Tobacco Use Rises From 0.1% to 14.9% Over a Decade as Growth Extends Beyond Cigarette Switching
A decade-long study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific found that heated tobacco product use in Japan increased from 0.1% in 2015 to 14.9% in 2025, although growth slowed after 2018. Switching from conventional cigarettes remained an important source of HTP uptake, while the contribution from previously non-current users increased. Approximately 56% of HTP users also smoked conventional cigarettes in 2025. Separate industry data show that Japan's heated tobacco sales reached 73.4 billion units in fiscal 2025, approaching conventional cigarette sales of 78.2 billion units.
SCIENCE
Nov.10
Latest UK ONS Data: 54% of Vapers Are Former Cigarette Smokers, 26% Also Smoke and 20% Never Smoked Regularly
Latest UK ONS Data: 54% of Vapers Are Former Cigarette Smokers, 26% Also Smoke and 20% Never Smoked Regularly
Former cigarette smokers accounted for an estimated 54% of current e-cigarette users in Great Britain in 2025, while 26% also smoked cigarettes and 20% had never regularly smoked, according to a 2Firsts analysis of Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. Among former cigarette smokers who currently vape, approximately 81% used e-cigarettes daily, compared with about 50% of dual users. The ONS found that 33.8% of current cigarette smokers also vaped in 2025, up from 10.6% in 2014. Approximately 1.1 million adults who had never regularly smoked cigarettes used e-cigarettes, representing 2.9% of that population, compared with 0.2% in 2014. The figures highlight differences in the composition, frequency of use and long-term trends across Britain's vaping population.
DATA
Oct.14