Finland Prioritizes Smoking Cessation with Gum and Patches; E-Cigarettes Banned in Smoke-Free Areas

According to Filter, despite approximately 900,000 citizens smoking combustible cigarettes, Finland has implemented strict laws regarding e-cigarettes and banned the use of smokeless tobacco, noting that the country indeed has a thriving nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) market.

Finland has banned the use of e-cigarettes in all smoke-free areas, prohibited flavors other than tobacco, enforced a comprehensive advertising ban, and deemed online and cross-border sales illegal.

Snuff is also banned—Sweden is the only EU member state exempt from the snuff ban. Nevertheless, it is estimated that 38,000 people still use nicotine e-cigarettes in the country.

E-cigarettes are considered less harmful than smoking combustible cigarettes, but Finland focuses on NRT products like gum and patches rather than harm-reduction products like e-cigarettes. NRT products can be easily purchased nationwide without a prescription.

“NRT is definitely the most popular smoking cessation tool,” said Jari Ollikka, president and co-founder of Vapers Finland ry, in an interview with Filter. “There was a time when it was only available in pharmacies, but since 2006, NRT has started to be sold in general stores.”

“There is a goal to achieve a smoke-free Finland by 2040. But then the goal changed: now the target is 2030. Meanwhile, Finland has shifted from wanting to be a smoke-free country to a smoke-free and nicotine-free country.”

“Pharmaceutical companies are already involved in Finland's smoke-free campaign, and they do not like e-cigarettes. They are the ones benefiting from promoting NRT. Additionally, pharmacies want to reclaim their share from NRT sales, as they are lobbying to end general sales of NRT and only allow it to be sold in pharmacies,” he said.

Ollikka stated that the government now acknowledges that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking but does not promote their use as a smoking cessation method. Finland finds itself in a “quit or die” dilemma regarding smoking. There is no belief in harm reduction. Finland wants to offer those who wish to quit smoking the choice of NRT, viewing e-cigarettes merely as part of big tobacco. E-cigarettes are not seen as a cessation aid.

Finland will hold parliamentary elections in April. Ollikka mentioned that some political parties are pushing for the legalization of snuff.

He said, “I think this is a great opportunity to influence politicians to also lift restrictions on e-cigarettes.”