Marketing authorisations and notifications under the Tobacco and Medicines Act
The aim of the Tobacco Act is to end the use of tobacco products in Finland. The aim is to prevent children and young people in particular from taking up smoking. Tobacco smoke is defined as a carcinogenic substance.
Sale of tobacco products, nicotine liquids and smokeless nicotine products
The retail sale of tobacco products, nicotine liquids and smokeless nicotine products is subject to authorisation and the wholesale sale is subject to notification. A retail sales licence is obtained from the municipality where the place of sale is located. A wholesale notification is also submitted to the municipality where the point of sale is located. It is recommended that the application for a retail licence/wholesale notification be made electronically. Click here to open the electronic form. If you are unable to complete the electronic form, a paper form can be found here. A self-monitoring plan is required to obtain a marketing authorisation and must be attached to the application.
Smokeless nicotine products (including nicotine sachets) have been included in the Tobacco Act from 1 August 2025. If you already have a retail licence under the Tobacco Act and you also wish to sell smokeless nicotine products, please submit a change notification to extend your range of products.
The amendment notification must be submitted by 31.10.2025 at the latest. Smokeless nicotine products may not be sold without an amendment notification or a retail sales licence from 1.11.2025.
Submit a change notification via the link above or by sending the notification form by email. We recommend using e-commerce.
To submit a change notification, you will need the sales ID (former authorisation number) of your point of sale, which can be found in the retail authorisation decision or in the sales authorisation document. If your authorisation was issued before 15 August 2016, you will also need an updated self-monitoring plan and a statement of the number and location of your outlets. A fee will be charged for processing the notification in accordance with the fee schedule.
Sales of nicotine preparations
Nicotine-based smoking cessation products are classified as medicines and can be sold not only in pharmacies but also in shops, petrol stations and kiosks. The sale of nicotine preparations requires a retail sales licence. The licence is obtained from environmental health inspectors, who also supervise the sale of nicotine products. Only persons aged 18 or over are allowed to sell the products. You can download the application form here.