Snus, and other forms of oral tobacco such as chewing tobacco, are allowed and regulated as tobacco products under the Tobacco Control Act in Norway.
Nicotine pouches were regulated as tobacco substitutes in July 2021, with the regulations on the approval scheme for new tobacco and nicotine products. According to the regulations it is forbidden to produce, import, sell or transfer new forms of tobacco and nicotine-containing products unless they are approved by the Directorate of Health. As of October 2025, no nicotine pouches have been approved.
There is still a pouch product called “helhvit snus”, which is similar to the tobacco-free nicotine pouches found in other European countries, but in Norway, these contain a small amount of tobacco added in order to be considered a tobacco product and circumvent the approval process.
This report provides a detailed analysis of the regulatory framework in place in Norway for oral tobacco and nicotine pouches, covering all policy areas from market access and advertising to taxation and enforcement.
