Electronic cigarettes and nicotine liquids ordered from abroad may be imported until 30 June

Private individuals may import electronic cigarettes and nicotine liquids to Finland by ordering them from abroad until the end of June 2017. The Government proposed this transitional provision to be included in the Tobacco Act on Thursday 29 September. The President of Finland is to confirm the Act on Friday, and it is to enter into force on 6 October 2016.

The transitional provision will amend the prohibition in the Tobacco Act concerning the receipt of electronic cigarettes or nicotine liquids ordered by private individuals from outside Finland, which entered into force, along with the Act, on 15 August 2016. This timetable was in contrast with the provisions of the Tobacco Act prohibiting distance selling of electronic cigarettes and nicotine liquids across national borders, applicable from the beginning of 2017.

The amendment to the Tobacco Act corrects the transitional period so that the same timetable is applicable regarding the prohibition of both distance selling and the receipt of electronic cigarettes and nicotine liquids. Now both of these prohibitions will apply as from 1 July 2017. The transitional provision is needed because nicotine liquids are not being sold in Finland as yet.

Any electronic cigarettes or nicotine liquids ordered by private individuals from outside Finland which have been seized or detained by the Customs will be returned to their owners.

Inquiries:

Director Kari Paaso tel. +358 2951 63340
Laura Terho, Lawyer, tel. +358 2951 63550
Meri Paavola, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 2951 63343

• Tobacco control