In June 2022, the Norwegian Parliament voted to include the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement. According to the government, work has begun to amend the Law on the Prevention of Tobacco Damage (Tobacco-Damage Law) and the Smoking Law, and a new regulatory framework is expected to be in place by 2023 to recognize the sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes in Norway.

Find out about the current control measures and policy guidance for e-cigarettes in Norway.

Current policy

a. Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are banned under Article 34(d) of the Tobacco Damage Act. Although the Parliament decided to lift the ban in December 2016, the law has not been amended, and the import and sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes is still prohibited;

b. In accordance with the Norwegian Regulations on the Manufacture and Import of Medicines, individuals are permitted to import nicotine-containing e-cigarettes for medical purposes related to smoking cessation by submitting to customs a private prescription or medical certificate issued by the hospital;

c. The import and sale of nicotine-free e-cigarettes are permitted, provided they are not available to persons under 18 years of age and are subject to the Advertising and Display Ban;

d. E-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, are covered by the Smoking Act and are prohibited wherever the use of tobacco products is prohibited as specified in the statute.

Policy orientation

a. The newly amended Tobacco Damage Act will remove the ban on the sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes;

b. In accordance with the TPD control requirements introduced by the EEA agreement, regulations on the quality, safety and labeling of e-cigarette products will be increased;

c. The manufacturer or importer shall notify the Health Authority through the EU common EU-CEG database six months in advance of the sale of the product to the consumer.

It involves legislation

E-cigarette products may also be subject to oversight by other authorities:

a. E-cigarette products that claim to be suitable for smoking cessation or make other medical claims are covered by the Drug Act and regulated by the Drug Administration;

b. E-cigarette liquids and liquid storage containers are regulated by the Classification and Labeling of Hazardous Chemicals Act and regulated by the Department of Climate and Environment;

c. E-cigarettes are electronic and electrical devices regulated under the Products Act, which is also regulated by the Department of Climate and Environment.

It is reported that EEA countries have started to amend their relevant legislation to introduce the EU TPD control requirements, and the EU e-cigarette control integration policy has been further promoted. Companies interested in the EEA market can follow the legislation implementation process in each EEA country.

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