02.01.2025 - The Danish Parliament passed in December new legislation as part of the government's prevention plan targeting children and youth concerning tobacco, nicotine, and alcohol. This introduces new requirements for businesses in these sectors.
On November 14, 2023, the Ministry of the Interior and Health unveiled a new political agreement on a prevention plan. The 30 initiatives outlined aim to reduce alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco use among children and youth. Several of these initiatives required legislative changes, which were passed by Parliament today, Thursday, December 19, 2024.
"With the new legislation, the Danish Safety Technology Authority gains stronger enforcement tools to act against those who consistently promote misuse of alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco among young people. Starting January 1, 2025, we will, among other measures, recommend higher fines for violations of the rules and, as a last resort, recommend revoking the right to sell tobacco and nicotine products," says Stine Pedersen, head of office at the Danish Safety Technology Authority.
Below is an overview of the new initiatives under the authority's purview and their implications for businesses. The Danish Safety Technology Authority will provide ongoing updates and guidance regarding the new regulations.
Initiatives effective January 1, 2025
Stricter penalties: The Danish Safety Technology Authority will recommend higher fines for violations such as illegal sales of alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine products to minors, marketing of illegal products, and ineffective age verification systems online. For example, fines for selling alcohol illegally to minors will increase from a baseline of DKK 10,000 to DKK 50,000. In severe cases and repeated violations, courts will have the option to revoke a business’s right to sell tobacco and nicotine products for a limited period. However, the right to sell alcohol cannot be revoked.
Seizures: The authority will begin confiscating illegal products identified during inspections to prevent their continued sale in stores.
Initiatives effective April 1, 2025
New alcohol limit: The permitted alcohol content for 16- and 17-year-olds will be reduced from 16.5% to 6%. The Danish Safety Technology Authority will monitor compliance with the new limit in physical stores and online shops and ensure appropriate signage regarding the age limit.
Ban on late-night alcohol sales to under-18s: In nightlife zones designated by the police, it will be prohibited to sell alcohol to persons under 18 years of age between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM. The Danish Safety Technology Authority will oversee adherence to this ban.
Administrative fines: The authority will begin issuing administrative fines for uniform, uncomplicated violations with clear evidence and no disputes about the penalty. The specific areas covered by this measure have yet to be determined.
Initiatives effective July 1, 2025
New product requirements for nicotine and tobacco products:
New standards for nicotine and tobacco products will be introduced. For example, tobacco substitutes must not contain characteristic flavors other than tobacco and menthol. Additionally, products must not include certain additives, exceed new maximum nicotine content limits, or violate standardization requirements for packaging.
New standards will also apply to the design of cigarettes, rolling tobacco equipment, and tobacco substitutes. Furthermore, new quantity requirements will be enforced for packages of tobacco substitutes and chewing tobacco. These changes will come with a transition period starting July 1, 2025.