The Finnish government has withdrawn a new law banning all flavours in nicotine pouches – except those sold by a specific tobacco company – following questions about whether a minister had a personal interest in pushing the law through.

In early October, Finland passed a new tobacco law that categorised nicotine pouches as tobacco products. The law also included restrictions on flavours, banning all “characteristic scents or flavours” except for menthol, mint, tea, ginger, rosemary, and wood.

Minister accused of doing local firm’s bidding

It didn’t take long for questions to arise about the consultation process that resulted in the new law.

It first emerged that Finnish nicotine pouch manufacturer Strengbergs Habit Factory in Jakobstad had submitted a late proposal suggesting that certain herb and spice flavours should be exempt from any flavour ban alongside menthol and mint.

It was then also revealed that the former leader of the Swedish People’s Party (SFP), who is also from Jakobstad, may have exerted influence in pushing through the company’s requests. Despite the company’s proposal being submitted at the last minute, the law’s final language matched the company’s wishes nearly word for word. 

However, Anna-Maja Henriksson denies that her ties to Jakobstad or the fact that the town is an SFP’s stronghold influenced her actions.

“This company could just as easily be based in Helsinki, Kuopio, or Rovaniemi. From a principled viewpoint, the Swedish People’s Party would have had the same stance,” Henriksson told broadcaster Svenska Yle.

“We wanted to open up the flavour discussion to tackle the gray economy. We wanted Finland to gain more tax revenue rather than see it going to Sweden. In the worst-case scenario, it could lead to black market sales here, with negative consequences.”

Law goes back to the drawing board

Last year, Snusforumet followed Finland’s government transition, when Prime Minister Petteri Orpo opened the door to regulating nicotine pouches. It marked a positive shift from previous restrictive policies. 

There was even hope that Finland could inspire other EU countries to reconsider their nicotine policies. Now, it seems that the tobacco law will not include harm reduction.

In the wake of the flavour controversy, the government announced that the law will be withdrawn and a new bill introduced in line with the original proposal, which only allowed mint and menthol flavoured nicotine pouches.

Finnish ministers support the decision, arguing that doing otherwise risks giving the impression that a single company has the power to exert undue influence over legislation.

Nicotine policy based on science

Patrik Strömer, Secretary-General of the Association of Swedish Snus Manufacturers, is following the debate over the scandal with great interest. He’s concerned about Finland’s short-sighted approach to tobacco and nicotine policy.

“If Finland had initially adopted a science-based model, it would have been impossible to push through anything that even hints at self-interest,” he says.

“The lack of reason, logic, and rational risk assessment is now leading Finland backward to bad policy that results in far too many smokers and consequently worse public health.”