Quality report: Tobacco statistics Data description Statistical presentation The Tobacco Statistics is a consolidated set of data compiled from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Statistics Finland, Finnish Customs, the Tax Admini...

Tobacco and nicotine products On this page Daily smoking has been declining for a long time Daily smoking in Finland has decreased significantly over the past few decades. Daily smoking among working-age people (20–64-year-olds) has declined notab...

Finland needs a bolder Tobacco Act Published 9.6.2026 The views expressed in the blog posts are the writers’ own and do not represent the official position of the institution. The age limit for the sales of nicotine products should be raised. Nico...

Reducing the number of tobacco outlets supports smoking cessation Published 26.5.2021 The views expressed in the blog posts are the writers' own and do not represent the official position of the institution. The objective of the Finnish Tobacco Ac...

Health risks of tobacco and nicotine products – how they affect health All tobacco and nicotine products are harmful to health. Although the products differ from one another, what they have in common is nicotine. In addition to causing dependence,...

Tobacco and nicotine products – Compilation On this page Daily use of nicotine pouches has rapidly increased Daily use of nicotine pouches has increased rapidly in Finland, especially among vocational students and young adult men. In 2025, about o...

The rapid increase of nicotine products calls for stricter regulation and more effective prevention “The rapid increase in the use of nicotine products requires political decisions that respond to changes in the market. Proactive regulation of new...

Nicotine products harm health The objective of the Tobacco Act is to end the use of tobacco and nicotine products. Key measures to achieve this goal include raising the age limit for products and prohibiting sales to young people and future genera...

Quit smoking Nicotine is highly addictive Nicotine dependence includes physical, psychological and social components. Its severity can be assessed based on quantity and regularity of use. Tobacco and nicotine use is strongly linked to daily habits...

Nicotine dependence can develop quickly Repeated use of nicotine leads the body to become accustomed and adapt to its effects quickly, which significantly increases the risk of dependence. A young person’s developing body is particularly sensitive...

Quit smoking Medications support smoking cessation According to research, nicotine replacement therapy and prescription medicines for smoking cessation increase the likelihood of success, especially when nicotine dependence is strong. Medication s...

Quit smoking How to succeed in quitting Quitting tobacco and nicotine product use is one of the best ways to improve your health and wellbeing. Change is not always easy, as nicotine dependence and habits can be strong. Quitting often happens grad...

Quit smoking Quitting smoking pays off Regular smoking can shorten life expectancy by up to ten years. By quitting smoking, you also reduce the risk of many serious diseases that require long-term treatment or may lead to premature death. The best...

The national action plan for Substance Use Prevention Duration 11.6.2026–31.12.2035 Unit at THL Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions The National action plan for substance use prevention for 2026‒2035 guides work carried out at the national...

The study monitors the prevalence and trends of substance use and gambling among 15–16‑year‑old students across different European countries.

13.5.2026 | A recent study shows that the rapid increase of new nicotine products and the influence of the tobacco industry are perceived to significantly hinder the European countries’ ability to achieve ambitious tobacco control goals. Without strong support at the EU level and rapid responses to changes in the market, the targets risk remaining unmet.

3.7.2026 | Children who have been in contact with dogs in early childhood are on average healthier and require fewer antibiotic courses than children without such contact. The protective association is explained, at least in part, by the spread of dog-associated microbes in the home.

Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions Head of Unit Thomas Karlsson The unit Monitors and studies the population’s mental health, substance use, gambling-related harm and addictions, as well as risk and protective factors. Provides data to su...

Children and young people On this page Half of preschool-aged children had at least two hours of screen time on days off in 2024 Preschool-aged children spent a lot of time on screens in 2024. About half of the children had at least two hours of s...

Blog In our blog, our experts comment on current topics, interpret the significance of societal phenomena, and present new perspectives and solution proposals. THL’s official position is presented by the institute’s leadership. Previous blog posts...