Smoking in Finland
The overall smoking prevalence in Finland has been decreasing since 2006. 19.7% of the adult population in Finland are current smokers, down from 26% in 2006. This means there are now approximately 912,299 smokers in the country. 21% of men smoke and for women the figure is 18.3%. The most recent data show there were 5,129 annual deaths from tobacco-smoking related diseases (approximately 1,500 women and 3,600 men). The annual percentage of all deaths attributable to tobacco smoking was 11.51% (women: 5.8%; and men: 13.9%). Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes) are legal in Finland and there are 38,300 vapers in the country, giving an adult vaping prevalence of 0.82%. There is a requirement to ensure vape packaging contains a health warning, and they can only be sold to those 18 and older. Vaping devices can be purchased without a prescription but there are legal restrictions on their use in public places. There is no specific law on heated tobacco products and the situation is quite complicated for snus. While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be marketed and it is available to buy in many general shops without a prescription. The NRT market in Finland is worth €88.7 million. For further information and full references, click through to the detailed datasheets above.
Read articles from Finland
September 04, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu
Finland plans to raise tax on tobacco products but not vapes
Finland plans to raise taxes on tobacco products but not vapes and e-liquids. However, despite evidence proving that vapes help smokers to quit, a leading anti-smoking charity has hit out at the decision not to tax them on a par with cigarettes. Suomen ASH, a non-governmental health organisation in Finland, has submitted a statement in opposition to the move. It says: “We consider it important that the tax on all tobacco and nicotine products - including nicotine products that do not contain tobacco - is increased regularly.
August 08, 2024 by helsinkitimes.fi
Finnish teens turn away from alcohol but embrace e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches
The ESPAD monitors substance use among European students since 1995. The recent Finnish survey shows declining alcohol and tobacco use, but a rise in e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. While fewer students binge drink, some believe it poses fewer health risks. Daily smoking has decreased, but e-cigarette use is up. Snus and gambling have decreased, while cannabis use is slightly down. Stimulant drug experimentation is increasing. Preventive education is crucial, with focus on families. The forthcoming 2025 international ESPAD report will compare Finland to other European nations. Sweden and Norway show lower alcohol and cannabis use trends.
June 20, 2024 by medicalxpress.com
Research shows Varenicline, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes help in quitting smoking
A study found that both varenicline and nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes effectively help individuals quit smoking. Participants aged 25 to 75 were randomly assigned different cessation methods, with similar success rates on week 26: 40.4% for ECs, 43.8% for varenicline, and 19.7% for the placebo. The study suggests that while ECs may aid in reducing tobacco-related harm for long-term smokers, the potential long-term risks should be considered. The research was published in JAMA Internal Medicine by Anna Tuisku and colleagues from Lapland Central Hospital in Finland.
November 21, 2023 by tobaccoreporter.com
Finland: Smoke-Free Tax Plans Draw Fire
The Finnish government’s recent proposal to increase taxes on nicotine pouches and vape liquids has drawn criticism from the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA). The current plan would increase the price of one nicotine pouch box by approximately €2.50 ($2.74). This move, which aims to bring smokeless nicotine products under tobacco taxation, is a significant step backwards in harm reduction efforts, according to the consumer group. “Finland’s plan to increase taxes on less harmful nicotine alternatives is deeply concerning. Not only does this reduce the price differential between deadly cigarettes and safer alternatives, but it also directly undermines public health goals. [...]
September 04, 2023 by daily-pouch.com
How short-sighted nicotine alternative legislation boosts the black market
In July this year, the Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet posted an excellent article about the illicit trade of Snus in Finland. The piece tells the story of Mikko, a 25-year-old resident of a university town called Vaasa who helps supply Finish snussers with the prohibited harm reduction product via a bustling WhatsApp group. What I found remarkable about the story is how citizens like Mikko are forced into illegal actions because of EU legislation they have no control over. [...] Snus, like all oral tobacco, is banned across the EU. As Finland is a member state, the smoking alternative product cannot be sold legally. [...]
July 28, 2023 by helsinkitimes.fi
Illegal distribution of snus and cigarettes uncovered in Finland's Pirkanmaa and Helsinki regions
Finnish Customs revealed the results of a comprehensive investigation into an elaborate criminal network involved in the illegal distribution of snus and tobacco products in the Pirkanmaa region and the Helsinki area. The investigation exposed a web of smuggling and distribution activities that spanned across borders and involved about twenty suspects.
June 29, 2023 by snusforumet.se
Finns sign up in droves to fight ban on nicotine pouches
The sudden arrival of nicotine pouches on store shelves in Finland coupled with a potential ban has left consumers reeling. Thousands of Finns have already signed a new petition supporting the continued legalisation of nicotine pouches.
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches were, until recently, considered pharmaceutical products in Finland, available only through prescription. However, a recent decision by the country’s pharmaceutical regulator to stop regulating the products led to their sudden and unexpected availability in stores nationwide. This newfound freedom, though, may be short-lived.
March 28, 2023 by filtermag.org
“NRT or Cold Turkey”: Why Finland Won’t Back Tobacco Harm Reduction
Finland has vaping laws that are about as strict as they can be, short of actually banning it. There’s a ban on all flavors other than tobacco; a total ban on advertising; and if there’s an area where you can’t smoke, that will mean you can’t vape, either. Online and cross-border sales are illegal.
This is despite the fact that around 900,000 people in the far-northern European country of 5.5 million smoke cigarettes. An adult smoking rate of nearly 20 percent, though declining, is substantially higher than in the United States. Over 5,000 people die of smoking-related causes in Finland each year.
May 01, 2022 by yle.fi
Finland bans smoking at playgrounds, beaches
A stricter revised Tobacco Act took effect on 1 May as part of a long-term strategy to wean Finland off smoking.
As of Sunday, smoking at playgrounds and on public beaches is banned. The ban at beaches will be in effect from the beginning of May to the end of September each year.
The legislative change is particularly aimed at protecting young children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. It is also intended to reduce littering and environmental damage related to smoking.
April 19, 2022 by yle.fi
One in three teens buys snus on social media, study finds
Social media platforms have become a popular avenue for young people to get their hands on the oral tobacco product snus.
With the exception of Sweden, the sale of snus is banned across the EU, including in Finland.
The most recent School Health Promotion study found that up to 43 percent of students in grades 10-12 and 67 percent of vocational school students have used a tobacco product at least once last year, with snus becoming increasingly popular.
The survey also showed that roughly one in three snus users got hold of the product via social media platforms.
- Page 1 of 2