In November 2023, a prevention plan with 30 specific initiatives to prevent and reduce the consumption of nicotine products, tobacco, and alcohol among children and youth was reached as a political agreement between the government and four opposition parties.
The background for the new prevention plan stems from the emergence of new smoke-free nicotine products in recent years, particularly among children and youth who have shown an increased interest in these products. The nicotine products are not only harmful to health but also highly addictive, serving as a stepping stone for children and youth to start smoking. Additionally, Danish children and youth also exhibit high alcohol consumption compared to their peers in other European countries. Furthermore, they initiate alcohol consumption at an earlier age. Despite being illegal, minors can easily access age-restricted products that are widely sold to them.
To curb this trend and halt illegal sales, an allocation of nearly DKK 500 million (€67 million) has been designated for implementing the 30 initiatives in the prevention plan.
Key points of the agreement include:
- The agreement prohibits 16-to-17-year-olds from purchasing alcohol with an alcohol percentage exceeding six per cent. Currently, it is legal to sell products with an alcohol percentage of up to 16.5 to this age group. While the sale of regular beer to this age group remains legal, stronger alcoholic products, such as wine and shots, are now prohibited.
- The tax on smoke-free nicotine products is raised from 5.5 to 10 øre (penny) per milligram of nicotine. This results in an average price increase of around DKK 12 (€1.6) for a can of nicotine pouches, aligning the cost more closely with a pack of cigarettes.
- Similar tax increases are implemented on smoke-free tobacco, including chewing tobacco, to prevent unintended substitution between different products.
- The penalty levels for violating rules related to tobacco and nicotine products are raised, with fines starting at DKK 50,000. This applies to both the illegal marketing of tobacco and nicotine products in Denmark and the illegal sale of tobacco, nicotine, and alcohol to minors.
- The agreement imposes requirements on the placement of alcoholic beverages in retail and a ban on “enticing” flavours and scents in tobacco substitutes.