Finland has gone further than the European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) requires in banning all flavoured e-liquids except tobacco flavour.
As explained in the latest ECigIntelligence report on the country, the Finnish Tobacco Act “prohibits nicotine liquids with a characterising flavour or aroma”.
The transposition of the TPD in May 2016 legalised the use of e-cigarettes in Finland, where they had previously been allowed only under medical licence.
The ban on flavours is justified as making vaping products less appealing to children, a point supported by a number of associations, such as the Finnish Cancer Society.
Finland introduced a few months ago an excise duty on e-cigarettes and e-liquids, with or without nicotine. The country has also placed many restrictions on e-cig advertising.
Public usage is quite restricted, with vaping is forbidden in public places in line with the ban on public smoking.
Other countries in Europe are taking a similar line to Finland on flavours. Hungary will ban all flavours from 2020 and Estonia is considering a similar ban.
Photo: Patsaanmetsästäjä
