Last updated: May 11, 2023
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
Valvira (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health)
The law prohibits the sale of cigarettes:
- with a characterizing flavor or aroma;
- containing additives that are liable to create the impression that the product has a health benefit or presents reduced health risks compared to other tobacco products;
- containing stimulant compounds or other additives that are liable to create an impression of energy and vitality;
- containing additives that have coloring properties for emissions;
- containing additives that have CMR properties in unburnt form;
- containing additives that facilitate nicotine uptake or the inhalation of smoke;
- containing such flavorings in any of their components that allow the modification of the smell, taste or smoke intensity of the product concerned;
- with filters, papers or capsules that contain tobacco or nicotine;
- containing additives in quantities that increase the toxic or addictive effect, or the CMR properties of a tobacco product at the stage of consumption to a significant or measurable degree.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Valvira (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health)
The law establishes maximum emissions levels per cigarette as follows: a maximum of 10 milligrams of tar; a maximum of 1 milligram of nicotine; and a maximum of 10 milligrams of carbon monoxide.
The law also grants authority to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health to implement EU legislation by issuing provisions on maximum emission levels for emissions from cigarettes other than tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide emissions; however, no such provisions have been issued to date.
Sugars and sweeteners (other than those added to replace sugars lost during the curing process)
Examples of sugars and sweeteners include: glucose, molasses, honey and sorbitol.
The law prohibits cigarettes with a "characterising flavour or aroma." Accordingly, sugars and sweeteners that produce a characterizing flavor are prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
The law prohibits cigarettes with a "characterising flavour or aroma." Accordingly, spices and herbs (excluding mint) that produce a characterizing flavor are prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as menthol, mint, or spearmint in cigarettes.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
The law prohibits cigarettes with a "characterising flavour or aroma." Accordingly, spices and herbs (excluding mint) that produce a characterizing flavor are prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as spices and herbs (excluding mint) in cigarettes.
Other flavorings (not covered above)
Includes fruit flavorings. Examples of flavoring substances include benzaldehyde, maltol and vanillin.
The law prohibits cigarettes with a "characterising flavour or aroma." Accordingly, other flavorings (not covered above) that produce a characterizing flavor are prohibited.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it regulates ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above) in cigarettes.
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
The law prohibits additives that facilitate nicotine uptake.
The law furthers FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9 in that it regulates ingredients in cigarettes that facilitate nicotine uptake, such as ammonia.
Ingredients which may create an impression of health benefits
Examples include: vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, fruit and vegetables (and products resulting from their processing such as fruit juices), amino acids, such as cysteine and tryptophan, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6.
The law prohibits the use of additives that are liable to create the impression that the product has a health benefit or presents reduced health risks compared to other tobacco products;
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law prohibits the use of ingredients in cigarettes that may create an impression of health benefits.
Ingredients associated with energy and vitality
Examples include: caffeine, guarana, taurine and glucuronolactone.
The law prohibits the use of stimulant compounds or other additives that are liable to create an impression of energy and vitality.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law prohibits the use of ingredients in cigarettes that are associated with energy and vitality.
Additives that have CMR properties in unburnt form
The law prohibits the use of additives that have CMR properties in unburnt form.
Additives that have coloring properties for emissions
The law prohibits the use of additives that have coloring properties for emissions.
Quantities of additives that result in specific consequences
The law prohibits the use of additives in quantities that increase the toxic or addictive effect or the CMR properties of a tobacco product at the stage of consumption to a significant or measurable degree.
Flavorings in components that allow the modification of smell, taste, or smoke intensity
The law prohibits cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco containing such flavorings in any of their components that allow the modification of the smell, taste, or smoke intensity of the product concerned.
Filters, papers, or capsules containing tobacco or nicotine
The law prohibits cigarettes with filters, papers, or capsules that contain tobacco or nicotine.
Products intended for flavoring tobacco products
The law prohibits the sale of products intended to create a characterizing flavor in tobacco products.
