Swedish Parliament Rejects Prohibition on Vape Flavors

In a clear rebuke to tobacco control orthodoxy, the Swedish parliament (Riksdag) today rejected a proposed ban on sales of flavored vaping products. The final vote was 177-126 with 46 abstaining.

The proposal to ban flavors was introduced in late February by the government’s Ministry of Social Affairs. If passed, the law would have taken effect next January, and would have prohibited flavors other than tobacco in all e-liquid, including zero-nicotine vape juice.

The vote wasn’t a complete surprise. A week ago, the Riksdag’s Social Affairs Committee recommended adopting most of the bill—which also adds regulations for nicotine pouches and synthetic nicotine—but eliminating the flavor prohibition. The full Riksdag today agreed with the committee.