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Comments requested on amendment to Tobacco Act concerning nicotine pouches
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.
The Government proposes that the Tobacco Act lay down provisions on smokeless nicotine products in the same way as on tobacco for oral use, chewing tobacco and nasal tobacco. This would mean that selling or otherwise supplying or passing on smokeless nicotine products or importing them would be prohibited, apart from a few exceptions.
Violating the sales prohibition would be punishable as a tobacco sales offence and it could result in the cancellation of a retail licence under the Tobacco Act. It is also proposed that the use of smokeless nicotine products be prohibited at playgrounds and in the indoor and outdoor areas of daycare centres and educational institutions providing primary and lower secondary education, vocational education and training and general upper secondary education. The possession of smokeless nicotine products would be prohibited for people under the age of 18.
The draft proposal is an official view of officials of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and it is based on the proposals made by the working group on developing tobacco and nicotine policy. The intention is that the amendment would enter into force as soon as possible.
The government proposal is circulated for comments between 19 April and 22 May 2023.
Inquiries:
Reetta Honkanen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 163 684, [email protected]