Finland’s flavour ban on nicotine pouches risks pushing smokers back to cigarettes

Finland’s plan to ban flavours in nicotine pouches risks driving smokers back to cigarettes, leading international health experts warn today.

With a smoking rate of 15% – almost three times higher than Sweden’s 5.3% – Finland should be looking to Sweden’s successful harm reduction strategies rather than implementing prohibitive measures, said Dr. Delon Human, leader of Smoke Free Sweden.

“Banning flavours directly contradicts overwhelming scientific evidence that shows flavoured safer alternatives are a vital tool for smoking cessation,” Dr. Human added. 

“Sweden has led the way in eradicating smoking by embracing innovative smoke-free nicotine products and making them acceptable, accessible and affordable to adult smokers. Finland’s decision undermines this proven approach and risks pushing smokers back to deadly cigarettes.”

The flavour ban will come into effect on March 20, if approved by the Finland parliament.

Research demonstrates that access to reduced-risk nicotine products, particularly those with appealing flavours, plays a critical role in encouraging adult smokers to transition away from combustible cigarettes. 

The Swedish experience, where flavored oral nicotine products have been integral to achieving Europe’s lowest smoking rate, is a testament to this strategy’s success. 

Dr. Human concluded: “Rather than limiting access to safer alternatives, policymakers should follow Sweden’s evidence-based approach: promoting the use of safer nicotine products instead of imposing restrictive policies that inadvertently sustain cigarette consumption.

“Smoke Free Sweden calls on Finnish authorities to reconsider this harmful regulation and align their policies with the scientific consensus on tobacco harm reduction. Europe’s path to a smoke-free future must be based on pragmatism, not prohibition.”