Finland is classified as tobacco products. Electronic cigarettes cannot be sold through vending machine machines. It is strictly prohibited to sell electronic cigarettes and related products to people under 18 years of age. All advertising and promotional activities are prohibited, even in offline stores of electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are also prohibited in cars with children under 15 years old.

In contrast, the countries with the strictest restrictions on nicotine substitutes are Finland and Hungary, which have strict taxation and regulation of public use. The European Union itself is also considering tightening its regulation of steam smoke.

In summary, scientists have a more positive view of steam smoke. Steam cigarettes do still contain nicotine, which is addictive. But the same goes for caffeine. However, nicotine itself does not cause cancer. Therefore, after switching from cigarettes to electronic cigarettes, steam cigarette users can quickly reduce their exposure to many other harmful toxins in the smoke, including known carcinogen.

On March 28th, according to a report by Filter, although about 900000 citizens smoke combustible cigarettes, Finland has strict laws on e-cigarettes and prohibits the use of mouthful cigarettes, and points out that the country does have a thriving market for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

Finland has banned the use of e-cigarettes in all non-smoking places, banned flavors other than tobacco, implemented a comprehensive advertising ban, and made online and cross-border sales illegal.

Snuff is also prohibited - Sweden is the only EU member state that has immunity from the ban on snuff. Nevertheless, it is estimated that 38000 people in the country still use nicotine e-cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes are considered to be less harmful than smoking combustible cigarettes, but Finland will focus on NRTs such as chewing gum and patches, rather than products such as electronic cigarettes that reduce tobacco hazards. NRT products can be easily purchased nationwide without the need for a prescription.

NRT is definitely the most popular smoking cessation tool, "said Jari Ollikka, chairman and co founder of Vapors Finland ry, in an interview with Filter. There was a time when it was only sold in pharmacies, but since 2006, NRT has been selling in general stores

There is a goal to achieve smoke-free Finland by 2040. However, the goal changed later: the current goal is 2030. At the same time, Finland has gone from hoping to become a smoke-free country to a smoke-free and nicotine free country


Pharmaceutical companies have already participated in the Finnish smokeless movement, and they do not like e-cigarettes. It is these who benefit from promoting NRT. In addition, pharmacies hope to recover their share from NRT sales because they are lobbying to end NRT's general sales and only allow NRT to be sold in pharmacies, "he said.

Ollikka said that the government now acknowledges that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking, but has not promoted people to use e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking. Finland is in a dilemma of "quitting smoking or dying" when it comes to smoking. There is no belief in reducing harm. Finland hopes to offer NRT as a choice for those who wish to quit smoking, and e-cigarettes are seen as just a part of the large tobacco industry. Electronic cigarettes are not considered as an auxiliary tool for quitting smoking.


Finland will hold parliamentary elections in April. Ollikka said that some political parties are promoting the legalization of snuff.


He said, "I think this is a great opportunity to influence politicians and lift restrictions on e-cigarettes