The Icelandic government’s draft legislation aimed at tightening restrictions on nicotine products has drawn significant criticism during its public consultation phase.
As reported by local media, including Iceland News, the bill proposes a sweeping overhaul by combining all existing tobacco and nicotine control laws into a single framework.
Key measures include banning flavoured nicotine products deemed appealing to children, introducing plain packaging similar to tobacco, prohibiting online sales, requiring production permits, and enforcing ID checks for purchases. Stricter penalties for breaches are also proposed.
Not without a fight
In total, the government was met with 190 formal responses, all of which were submitted before the 3 July deadline. Many respondents argue the proposed measures are excessive.
“Depriving people of taste is a crime,” wrote one. Another said, “I think I’ll go back to Marlboro and Icelandic snuff.”
Critics argue that addiction is not influenced by flavours or packaging and that nicotine alternatives are less harmful than smoking.
Opposition has come from both individuals and organisations, including the Icelandic Chamber of Commerce and Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise.
Both organisations warn that the bill may infringe on economic freedoms and question the equivalency of nicotine pouches and traditional tobacco. For example, they have suggested that flavour bans rely on vague, subjective criteria.
The Health Inspectorate supports the legislation, calling it a vital step for public health.
