From July 1, 2024, Norway officially implemented the amendment to the “Prevention of the Harmful Effects of Tobacco Act”, which explicitly prohibits the sale of flavored e-cigarettes other than tobacco flavors. This policy seems to be tightened, but it actually marks the acceleration of Norway’s standardization of the e-cigarette market – through the two-way adjustment of “restricting flavors” and “lifting the ban on compliant products”, the industry is pushed closer to stricter EU standards. Against this background, e-cigarette brands represented by VEEHOO have gradually entered the Norwegian market by adapting to the new regulations, bringing structural changes to the industry.
Norwegian e-cigarette regulation has undergone many adjustments. In 2016, the Norwegian Parliament decided to lift the sales ban on nicotine e-cigarettes, but until the new tobacco bill comes into effect in 2024, nicotine e-cigarettes are still prohibited from production, import and sale. After the new bill is passed, e-cigarette companies must register their products with the Norwegian Medicines Agency and follow standards consistent with the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).
The amendment that will take effect in July 2024 further clarifies: Flavor restrictions: Only tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes are allowed to be sold, and products with characteristic aromas such as fruit and mint are prohibited; Capacity and ingredient restrictions: The capacity of the cartridge shall not exceed 2 ml, and the upper limit of nicotine concentration is 20 mg/ml; Packaging and advertising specifications: Health warnings must be marked, and marketing activities targeting minors are prohibited. This policy shift does not “lift the ban” on all products, but opens up market space for companies that meet the standards by clarifying the compliance boundaries.
As a global e-cigarette leading brand, VEEHOO quickly responded to the new Norwegian regulations through technology iteration and compliance strategies: Product adaptation: Launching closed cartridges containing only tobacco flavors, and strictly controlling the nicotine concentration within 20 mg/ml, and the cartridge capacity meets the 2 ml limit;
Localized registration: Complete product ingredient declaration and sales license application in accordance with the requirements of the Norwegian Medicines Agency to ensure legal listing; Social responsibility fulfillment: Use child-safe packaging design, avoid misleading propaganda in advertisements, and strengthen the positioning of “adult harm reduction products”. VEEHOO’s layout not only meets Norway’s regulatory requirements, but also provides consumers with alternative options that meet EU standards, becoming a market benchmark during the policy transition period.
Norway’s “targeted lifting of the ban” model may provide a reference for other European countries. At present, 34 countries have completely banned e-cigarettes, and 87 countries have implemented strict controls. Norway has explored a middle path by balancing “public health goals” and “industry norms development”.
However, challenges still exist: changes in consumer habits: flavored e-cigarettes once dominated the market, and flavor restrictions may lead to short-term user loss; regulatory dynamic risks: the EU TPD directive is still under revision, and nicotine content may be further restricted or the scope of prohibition may be expanded in the future; competition from substitutes: traditional tobacco companies and new nicotine products (such as oral cigarettes) may divert part of the market share.
The policy adjustment of the Norwegian e-cigarette market is essentially to guide the industry from “disorderly expansion” to “normative harm reduction”. The compliance practices of brands such as VEEHOO not only reflect the adaptability of enterprises to the regulatory framework, but also provide case references for the sustainable development of the global e-cigarette industry. In the future, how to strike a balance between public health and commercial interests will remain a common issue for policymakers and companies.
Tags: flavored e-cigarettes, prohibition of marketing to minors, closed cartridges, veehoo vape
