Last updated: February 27, 2023

Main Policies

Sale of e-cigarettes

Sale of e-cigarettes

Allowed
Analysis

The sale of e-cigarettes is allowed subject to restrictions including product notification, location-based sales, and a minimum sales age.

Main policies

Use in indoor public places, workplaces, and public transport

Some Restrictions
Analysis

The law prohibits the use of e-cigarettes in public transport vehicles, service areas of public institutions and non-governmental organizations educational and other facilities intended for the recreation of minors, and healthcare facilities (except for residents’ rooms in nursing homes and homes for the elderly).

Advertising and promotion (excluding point of sale product display)

Banned
Analysis

The law prohibits the advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes and refill containers. “Advertising” is defined broadly to include any form of product promotion, discussion in the media, and free distribution of samples.

Point of sale product display

Some Restrictions
Analysis

The law permits point of sale product display only at “special retail outlets” for nicotine products, e-cigarettes, and refill containers. “Special retail outlets” is defined as those retail outlets selling only nicotine products, e-cigarettes, refill containers, and associated products.

Sale of e-cigarettes via the internet

Allowed
Analysis

The law does not address internet sales; therefore, internet sales are allowed.

Flavors (other than tobacco flavor)

Allowed
Analysis

The law authorizes the minister to issue regulations restricting the marketing of flavorings in e-cigarettes, particularly regarding flavorings that may appeal to children. However, such regulations have not yet been issued.

Specified ingredients/additives

Regulated
Analysis

The law prohibits the following additives in e-cigarettes:
- Vitamins and other additives that create the impression that the product has a health benefit
- Caffeine, taurine, and other additives and stimulants associated with energy and vitality
- Additives that color the emissions
- Substances that facilitate the inhalation or uptake of nicotine
- Substances that have carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic properties (‘CMR properties’) in the form in which they are consumed.

Health warnings on product packaging

Required
Analysis

The law requires packaging of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and refill containers to carry health warnings. The labels must be:
- within a black rectangle, 1 mm wide, inside the surface reserved for such labels
- cover 30% of the two largest surfaces of the unit package and of all external packaging for the product.

The warning label must read in Icelandic: "This product contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance." The text must be parallel to the general text on the packaging.

Other product packaging and labeling requirements

Required
Analysis

Both unit packs and outside packaging must include:
- a list of all the ingredients contained in the product in descending order by weight
- information on the nicotine content of the product and its administration per dose
- the batch number of the product
- a recommendation to store the product out of the reach of children.

Packaging must also be accompanied by a leaflet containing instructions for use, contraindications, warnings for specific groups, potential adverse effects, addictive effects and toxicity, and contact information for the manufacturer or importer.

Unit packs and outside packaging must not include:
- any resemblance to food or cosmetics
- any suggestion that the product has environmental benefits
- any indication that the product has health or lifestyle benefits, is organic, or can increase energy or vitality
- any implication that the product is intended to reduce the effect of any harmful ingredients in smoke.

The law also prohibits packaging with texts or images that may appeal particularly to children or young people by means of illustrations or slogans which encourage the use of e-cigarettes. The minister has the authority to make provisions in regulations on the appearance of packaging so as not to make the products attractive to children.

Maximum nicotine concentration

Required
Analysis

The nicotine concentration cannot exceed 20 mg/ml in nicotine containing liquid for disposable e-cigarettes, cartridges, or refill containers for e-cigarettes.

Device requirements

Required
Analysis

The law requires e-cigarettes and refill containers to be child-proof and leakproof, and for refills to take place without leakage.

Manufacturer/importer disclosures and/or notification requirements

Required
Analysis

The law requires that all nicotine-containing products be notified to the Housing and Civil Engineering Agency six months before they are placed on the market. These notifications must contain information including contact details, ingredients, emissions, toxicological data, nicotine dose and uptake, descriptions of components, and a description of the production process. A new notification is required for each significant change in the product.

Location-based sales

Regulated
Analysis

The law prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes and refill containers in schools, youth-oriented facilities, and healthcare institutions.