Sweden
In Sweden, nicotine products are regulated by the Law on tobacco and similar products (Socialdepartementet, 2018) and the Law on tobacco-free nicotine products (Socialdepartementet, 2022). Over the past years, several changes have been made to the regulative landscape of nicotine products in Sweden, especially by the introduction of the Law on tobacco-free nicotine products in 2022.
Cigarettes are regulated by the Law on tobacco and similar products. Beyond the TPD 2014, Sweden requires that POS are not visible from outside the store, and must not be intrusive, solicitous, or encourage use. Further, smoke-free environments in public places indoors and certain public places outdoors are regulated. Cigarettes are subject to a tax of SEK 2.01 per cigarette + 1% of the retail price, which results in a minimum tax of €0.17 per cigarette, depending on the retail price (Skatteverket, 2024).
E-cigarettes are regulated by the Law on tobacco and similar products. Packaging for e-cigarettes and refill containers must display a health warning, but there are no requirements of plain packaging. The content of characteristic flavours is not regulated. Advertising is restricted and sponsorship is prohibited. Display at POS is allowed but must not be intrusive, solicitous, or encourage use. Where smoking is not allowed, the use of e-cigarettes is also prohibited. The legal age for buying e-cigarettes in Sweden is 18 years. E-liquids with a nicotine concentration under 15 mg/ml are subject to a tax of SEK 2,020 (€178.71) per litre. E-liquids with a nicotine concentration between 15 and 20 mg/ml are subject to a tax of SEK 4,040 (€357.42) per litre of liquid (Skatteverket, 2024).
Nicotine pouches are regulated as tobacco-free nicotine products. Packaging for nicotine pouches must display a health warning, but there are no requirements of plain packaging. The content of characteristic flavours is not regulated. Advertising is restricted to adults over the age of 25 years and sponsorship is prohibited. Display at POS is allowed but must not be intrusive, solicitous, or encourage use. The legal age for buying nicotine pouches in Sweden is 18 years. Nicotine pouches are subject to a tax of SEK 202 (€17.86) per kg product (Skatteverket, 2024).
Snus is sold legally in Sweden, as it is exempt from the TPD 2014. This is argued by a long tradition of snus use in the Swedish society and is based on Sweden’s agreement not to market snus in other EU countries and the agreement to restrict distance sale. Packaging for snus must display a health warning, but there are no requirements of plain packaging. The content of characteristic flavours is not regulated. Advertising and sponsoring are prohibited. Advertising at POS is allowed but must not be intrusive, solicitous, or encourage use. The legal age for buying snus in Sweden is 18 years. Snus is subject to a tax of SEK 421 (€36,46) per kg snus (Finansdepartementet, 2022).