Iceland to Tighten Nicotine Pouches & Vape Laws

Iceland Nicotine Pouch Regulation

Icelandic Member of Parliament Halla Hrund Logadóttir has raised alarms in parliament over the widespread use of nicotine pouches among the nation’s youth and the marketing tactics employed by sellers. Referencing a study showing Iceland has the highest rate of youth nicotine pouch use in the Nordic countries (30%), she criticized a specialty store’s mascot as appealing to a broad, young audience, likening the marketing of these “harmful products” to that of chewing gum.

Logadóttir described nicotine shops as “springing up like mushrooms,” selling highly addictive substances, and called on Health Minister Alma Möller to outline planned actions. Minister Möller agreed with the concerns, acknowledging that while products like e-cigarettes initially had benefits in helping adults quit tobacco, the situation has evolved with marketing now often targeting children and teenagers. “Now, nicotine pouches are the issue,” Möller stated.

In response, Möller announced that a bill will be introduced in the autumn parliamentary session. This legislation aims to unify laws on tobacco and nicotine products, with a primary goal of protecting young people. The bill will include specific provisions on the labelling and advertising of nicotine pouches, building on existing Law No. 87/2018, which already mandates health warnings and restricts packaging features that appeal to minors.

Matthew Ma
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