Minister of Health Svandís Svavarsdóttir has presented a bill to Parliament, suggesting that legislation on vaping will also cover nicotine products such as nicotine pouches. If the bill is passed, only people over the age of 18 will be able to purchase the nicotine pouches and producers won’t be able to advertise their product or decorate the packaging in a way that attracts children or teenagers.
The report accompanying the bill states that no legislation currently covers the use and distribution of nicotine pouches, even though they can contain a considerable amount of nicotine, which is classified as an addictive substance. The report also states that both importers and resellers have called for the products to be regulated, and as tobacco-free nicotine products have already made their mark on the Icelandic market, it’s important that the rules are clear. “Children have been known to use the products, which can be toxic if the amount of nicotine is high, making it important to secure the health and safety of children with clear regulation on the marketing and sale of such products,” the bill states.
The bill suggests that the sale of nicotine pouches in schools or other places meant for children’s sport or leisure will be forbidden as well as in healthcare institutions. Advertising the nicotine products or showing their consumption in advertisements will also be forbidden and they won’t be displayed for customers at stores where they are sold, although the bill proposes an exemption from the visibility ban for speciality stores selling nicotine pouches. Such an exemption is already in effect for vape shops. The bill further suggests that the nicotine pouch sales will be subject to the Icelandic Housing Authority and the number of products sold will have to be disclosed annually to the Directorate of Health. The Consumer Agency and the Icelandic Media Commission will monitor infractions of advertisement bans.
