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5.9.2025 | Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen and Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen met with public authorities and experts on 5 September to discuss the synthetic drug alpha-PVP. The discussions highlighted that the spread of alpha-PVP is a complex problem and tackling it requires broad-based cooperation.

19.10.2023 | An amendment to the Alcohol Act is being circulated for comments until 23 November 2023. At present, retail trade licences can be granted for the sale of alcoholic beverages containing up to 5.5 per cent alcohol by volume. The proposed amendment would also allow the sale of alcoholic beverages produced by fermentation and containing 5.5 –8.0 per cent alcohol.

13.10.2023 | The Government proposes that nicotine pouches and other smokeless nicotine products be more comprehensively covered by the Tobacco Act than now. The aim is for legally sold nicotine pouches to replace illegally obtained snus. The proposal also aims to prevent the use of nicotine pouches among young people. 

16.12.2022 | Otto Köngäs took up his duties as Special Adviser to Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru on 16 December 2022. He will be responsible for issues involving alcohol and drugs, mental health, and services for older people and people with disabilities and children and young people.

20.4.2023 | The Government’s proposal to amend the Tobacco Act has been sent out for comments. According to the proposal, the Act would include a definition of smokeless nicotine products that would cover nicotine pouches and products closely resembling them. Smokeless nicotine products mean snus-like products which do not contain tobacco but which do contain added nicotine.

11.5.2023 | The legislative amendment which is currently circulated for comments would ban the sale of nicotine pouches and restrict their import. The nicotine content of pouches on the market is often higher than that of snus (a smokeless oral tobacco product). There can be portion-packed pouches available for sale which contain up to ten times more nicotine than snus.

13.1.2022 | On 13 January, the Government amended both the decree on narcotic substances, preparations and plants (Narcotics Decree) and the decree on psychoactive substances prohibited on the consumer market. The decrees will enter into force on 14 February 2022.

9.12.2021 | The Government Resolution on drug policy will continue national cooperation in preventing drug-related harm. The Resolution was adopted on 9 December 2021.

9.4.2021 | A new Substance Abuse and Addiction Strategy was published on 9 April. It outlines joint development work, objectives and priority areas until 2030. The aim is to prevent and reduce the risks, harms and problems caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine products as well as drug use and gambling in all age groups.

13.4.2022 | The Tobacco Act was tightened on 13 April 2022. Brand images and logos will be removed from the unit packets of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and refill containers. The aim is to reduce the appeal of tobacco products particularly to young people. The Government proposed these amendments to the Act and the President of the Republic approved them.

27.10.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is inviting comments on a draft government proposal to amend the Driving Licence Act. The proposal aims to improve road safety for young people. Comments may be submitted until 14 December 2025.