Last updated: June 5, 2024
Regulated Contents in Cigarettes
Are contents and/or ingredients of cigarettes regulated?
State Alcohol and Tobacco Company of Iceland (ATVR)
Directorate of Health
The Tobacco Control Act of 2002 (as amended) regulates the ingredients of cigarettes and other tobacco products; however, these provisions come into effect beginning January 11, 2028. Therefore, contents are currently unregulated.
Are cigarette emissions regulated?
Directorate of Health
State Alcohol and Tobacco Company of Iceland (ATVR)
The law limits emissions per cigarette to: 10 mg of tar, 1 mg of nicotine, and 10 mg of carbon monoxide.
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.
Currently, the use of sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, cigarettes with a characterizing flavor will be prohibited. This provision will restrict or prohibit the use of sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes to the extent they result in a characterizing flavor.
Beginning January 11, 2028, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as sugars and sweeteners in cigarettes.
Menthol, mint or spearmint (including analogues and derivatives)
Currently, the use of menthol, mint and spearmint in cigarettes is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, cigarettes with a characterizing flavor will be prohibited. This provision will prohibit the use of menthol, mint, and spearmint in cigarettes.
Beginning January 11, 2028, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as menthol, mint, and spearmint in cigarettes.
Spices and herbs (excluding mint)
Examples include: cinnamon and ginger.
Currently, the use of spices and herbs in cigarettes is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, cigarettes with a characterizing flavor will be prohibited. This provision will prohibit the use of spices and herbs in cigarettes.
Beginning January 11, 2028, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as spices and herbs.
Other flavorings (not covered above)
Includes fruit flavorings. Examples of flavoring substances include benzaldehyde, maltol and vanillin.
Currently, the use of other flavorings (not covered above) is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, cigarettes with a characterizing flavor will be prohibited. This provision will prohibit the use of other flavorings in cigarettes.
Beginning January 11, 2028, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that it will regulate ingredients used to increase palatability such as other flavorings (not covered above).
Ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake
Examples include: ammonia.
Currently, the use of ingredients that facilitate nicotine uptake is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, additives in tobacco products that facilitate inhalation or nicotine uptake will be prohibited.
Beginning January 11, 2028, the law will further FCTC Arts. 5.2 and 9 in that it will regulate 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.
Currently, the use of ingredients that may create an impression of health benefits is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, additives in tobacco products that may create an impression of health benefits will be prohibited.
Beginning January 11, 2028, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law will prohibit 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.
Currently, the use of ingredients that may create an impression of health benefits is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, additives in tobacco products that may create an impression of health benefits will be prohibited.
Beginning January 11, 2028, the law will align with FCTC Art. 9 and the FCTC Arts. 9 & 10 Partial Guidelines in that the law will prohibit the use of ingredients in cigarettes associated with energy and vitality.
Additives having coloring properties for emissions
Currently, the use of additives having coloring properties for emissions is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, additives having coloring properties for emissions will be prohibited.
Additives that have carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic properties (CMR properties) in unburnt form
Currently, the use of additives that have carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic properties (CMR properties) in unburnt form is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, additives that have carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic properties (CMR properties) in unburnt form will be prohibited.
Additives in quantities that increase the toxic or addictive effect, or the CMR properties of the tobacco product at the stage of consumption to a significant or measurable degree.
Currently, the use of additives in quantities that increase the toxic or addictive effect, or the CMR properties of the tobacco product at the stage of consumption is allowed. Beginning January 11, 2028, additives in quantities that increase the toxic or addictive effect, or the CMR properties of the tobacco product at the stage of consumption will be prohibited.
