The Finnish government recently proposed increasing taxes on nicotine pouches and e-cigarette liquids, drawing criticism from the World Vaping Alliance (WVA). The current plan will increase the price of each box of nicotine by approximately 2.50 euros (equivalent to 19.54 yuan).
The consumer group said the move to impose tobacco taxes on smokeless nicotine products was a major setback for harm reduction efforts.
WVA director Michael Rand said in a statement: "Finland's plans to increase taxes on less harmful nicotine alternatives are deeply concerning. Not only does it narrow the price gap between deadly cigarettes and safer alternatives , and directly undermines public health goals. By raising the price of products such as nicotine pouches and e-cigarette liquids, we may discourage smokers from switching to these less harmful alternatives."
The proposal seeks to amend tobacco tax laws to include smokeless nicotine products, including nicotine pouches and e-cigarette liquids. World Veterans warned that such tax increases would disproportionately affect lower-income groups, whose smoking rates are statistically higher.
"Higher taxes on harm-reduced products hit the most vulnerable the most. These groups have the highest smoking rates. Instead of providing them with affordable alternatives to quit smoking, the government is pushing them back to more harmful habits "This move by the Finnish government is a step in the wrong direction, ignoring the interests of public health and deepening social inequalities."
World Veterans suggests that Finnish lawmakers do not need to look for successful examples of harm reduction. Sweden is on track to become the first smoke-free country as it adopts a progressive harm reduction policy. Earlier this year, Sweden announced a plan to lower taxes on snus and nicotine pouches, while also significantly increasing taxes on cigarettes.
