Read articles from Finland

November 01, 2024 by yle.fi

The Finnish government has announced plans to gradually increase tobacco taxes six times over the next few years, ultimately raising the price of a pack of cigarettes to over 13 euros. The first tax hike took effect on Friday, with further increases planned twice a year until July 2027, totaling a 27.1% rise. The government expects to generate about 100 million euros from these increases, which will apply to cigarettes, loose tobacco, pipe tobacco, cigars, and cigarillos, but not to nicotine pouches or e-cigarette liquids. Tobacco companies may stockpile products in advance, so the price impact might be delayed until existing stock is sold.

October 22, 2024 by yle.fi

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) expressed concern that the proposed legal limit for nicotine content in nicotine pouches, set at 16.6 mg per gram in the latest government proposal, is too high. THL's Senior Specialist, Otto Ruokolainen, highlighted that other Nordic countries, like Sweden, are considering stricter limits, with Sweden proposing a cap of 12 mg per gram.

September 04, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.