Finnish Government and Swedish People’s Party Struggle with Nicotine Pouch Legislation

The Finnish government and the Swedish People’s Party (RKP) are struggling with legislation permitting nicotine pouches, as the situation has not unfolded as smoothly as expected. Here’s a timeline of events surrounding the nicotine pouch saga.

It all began with a single postal order. In May 2020, a thirty-something man ordered nicotine pouches—then illegal in Finland—from a Swedish online store. The order was intercepted by customs, triggering a smuggling investigation. However, the Supreme Court ruled that nicotine pouches are not classified as medicine but rather as harmful substances. This decision cleared the way for their sale in Finland.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health attempted to prevent the entry of nicotine pouches into the Finnish market by tightening tobacco laws in March 2023. However, after the April elections, the government changed. The new coalition’s program stipulated that the retail sale of nicotine pouches would be regulated, with only flavors intended for adults permitted.

Initially, only two flavors—mint and menthol—were proposed to be legal. However, negotiations led by RKP’s representatives expanded this to include flavors like wood, tea, rosemary, and ginger. These flavors are exclusively produced by the Swedish company Habit Factory, which has recently opened a factory in Pietarsaari.

Questions have arisen regarding how these specific flavors were included in the legislation, with the RKP appearing to have had prior knowledge and interest in promoting them. RKP’s then-leader, Anna-Maja Henriksson, claimed there are certainly more adult flavors than just two.

As nicotine pouches continue to be an issue for the RKP, their vice-chairman expressed concerns over the party’s image. Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen announced plans to withdraw the current proposal and introduce a corrected version, allowing only mint and menthol flavors. Henriksson, while understanding the decision, warned it might lead to decreased tax revenue and increased black market activity should alternative flavors be sought from abroad.