Finland plans to regulate nicotine pouches amid expert criticism over flavors and strength

The Finnish government plans to regulate the strength and flavors of nicotine pouches, but experts have identified significant shortcomings in the proposed legislation. Criticism centers on the permitted maximum nicotine content and the allowed flavors. The draft law permits at least mint and menthol flavors in nicotine pouches, while the ruling party, the Swedish People’s Party (RKP), has pushed for several additional flavors, whose fate remains uncertain.

Otto Ruokolainen, a specialist from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, insists that menthol should be excluded from allowed flavors. He argues that menthol facilitates the initiation and continuation of nicotine pouch use, particularly appealing to young users. Research indicates that menthol is notably attractive to youth, contrasting with claims that only adult-friendly flavors would be permitted.

Pharmacy doctoral candidate Outi Salminen adds that menthol is intentionally included in nicotine products, as studies show it enhances nicotine absorption, increasing its harmful effects. Experts also emphasize that flavors like menthol are banned in all other tobacco and nicotine products, highlighting a clear contradiction in the proposed law.

In terms of nicotine content, the draft law allows a maximum concentration of 16.6 milligrams per gram in pouches, which experts deem excessively high. In comparison, neighboring countries have proposed lower limits—12 mg in Sweden and 9 mg in Denmark. Experts suggest that the limit should be set at a maximum of 10 mg, which still exceeds the risk associated with a single cigarette.

Finland aims for a smoke-free status by 2030 under its tobacco law, but experts warn that achieving this goal will require considerable additional measures. Ruokolainen advocates for raising the minimum age for tobacco and nicotine products to 20 and restricting the introduction of new nicotine products to the market to combat rising nicotine dependency among the youth. Salminen points out that communication failures among authorities have exacerbated the situation, as the sales of nicotine pouches were deregulated following a change in interpretation last year without adequate consultation.