Regulation of nicotine products in Finland
Regulation changes quickly, and the changes are felt directly on the shelf and in the warehouse. Here we collect what changes and when — and above all what the change means day to day at the point of sale. Rather than reproducing official texts, we set out what they mean in practice.
What changes and when
Smoke-free nicotine products brought under the Tobacco Act
Nicotine pouches and other smoke-free nicotine products came under the scope of the Tobacco Act. At the same time the ban on distance selling to consumers entered into force. For a point of sale this meant that a retail licence became necessary for these products too.
Excise duties rose
Duty on e-cigarette liquids rose from 30 cents to 40 cents per millilitre. For nicotine pouches the unit duty rose from 10 cents to 12 cents per gram, the ad valorem duty from 10% to 15%, and the minimum duty from 14 cents to 19 cents per gram. The effect is felt directly in the consumer price.
Nicotine limit and flavour restriction
A maximum nicotine content of 16.6 mg/g was introduced for smoke-free nicotine products, together with restrictions on flavours. Some products previously on sale left the market.
Standardised packaging
Retail packaging for smoke-free nicotine products was standardised: prescribed shape, colour, typography and health warning area. Descriptors such as ice, max, slim and light are not permitted. In practice the pack no longer stands out on the shelf. At an ordinary point of sale this makes no difference, because the products are hidden under the display ban; in a specialist shop, which may display products, the difference is visible on the shelf.
The EU Battery Regulation starts to apply to e-cigarettes
The requirements of the Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 start to apply to e-cigarettes on 18 February 2027. We will tell our customers in good time what the change means for range and stock.
Sources: the Tobacco Act 549/2016 and the Act amending the Tobacco Act 251/2025 · guidance from the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Agency · the Finnish Tax Administration. This page is written from the point-of-sale perspective and does not replace official guidance. Always check the current position with an official source or ask us.
Two product groups, two rulebooks
The limits set by the Tobacco Act differ between the two product groups more than may be apparent at first glance. The table collects the limits that determine whether a product can be sold in Finland at all.
| E-cigarettes and e-liquids | Nicotine pouches | |
|---|---|---|
| Nicotine limit | max. 20 mg/ml | max. 16.6 mg/g |
| Permitted flavours | unflavoured or tobacco | unflavoured, tobacco, mint and menthol |
| Unit size | tank max. 2 ml, bottle max. 10 ml | pouch 0.5–1 g |
| Minimum pack | not regulated | 20 pouches, or 30 g loose |
| Standardised packaging | since 1 May 2023 | since 1 August 2026 |
| Product notification | six months before market entry | required, but no waiting period |
| Excise duty | €0.40/ml | 12 cents/g and 15% of the retail price; on the cheapest, a minimum duty of 19 cents/g instead |
Note the product notification row: a pouch product can be on sale months before a comparable e-cigarette product. Mandatory information on the packaging and in the product leaflet must appear in both Finnish and Swedish.
Sources: the Tobacco Act 549/2016 as amended by Act 251/2025, in particular section 26 (advance notification) · the Act on Tobacco Excise Duty and the Tax Administration's duty table · guidance from the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Agency. Always check the current position with an official source.
Licences and fees
Retail licence for nicotine products
What the licence covers, where it is applied for, and what is required of a point of sale beyond the licence.
Read about the licence →Annual supervision fee
The municipality charges an annual fee for every point of sale. Check the fee in your municipality.
Check the supervision fee →