Tobacco Products

A license is required to sell tobacco products such as cigarettes, rolling tobacco, snus, cigars and other tobacco products. The license is applied for with the municipality where the sales outlet is located and requires that the applicant is financially responsible and not criminally burdened. The license holder must comply with rules on age limits (18 years), labeling, self-monitoring and traceability.

The municipality and the Police Authority exercise supervision and may carry out test purchases. The Public Health Agency of Sweden supervises wholesalers, distributors and e-commerce. Fees are charged by the municipality for examination and supervision.

Requirements

  • Age limit: You must ensure that the buyer is at least 18 years old and that the tobacco product is not intended for anyone under 18 years.
  • Wholesalers: You must ensure that the buyer has a license to sell tobacco products.
  • Labeling: Packaging must be marked with identity and security markings and health warnings in Swedish.
  • Self-monitoring: You must have a self-monitoring program suitable for the business.
  • Traceability: Retailers, wholesalers and distributors must have identification codes.
  • Information: Clear notice about the prohibition of sales to persons under 18 years must be available at the point of sale.

Application and examination

  • Application: Submitted to the municipality where the physical point of sale is located. For e-commerce: to the municipality where the company has its registered office or permanent establishment.
  • Documents: Self-monitoring program must be attached to the application.
  • Examination: The municipality examines that you are financially responsible and not criminally burdened. Persons with significant influence in the company (board members, CEO, shareholders) are also examined.
  • Fees: The municipality charges a fee for investigation and supervision. The fee varies between municipalities.

Supervision

  • Supervisory authorities: Municipality and Police Authority for retailers. Public Health Agency of Sweden for wholesalers, distributors and e-commerce.
  • Inspections: Can take place at any time, both announced and unannounced.
  • Test purchases: The municipality may carry out test purchases to check compliance with the age limit.
  • Responsibility: The license holder is responsible for ensuring that staff have sufficient knowledge of the rules and that the self-monitoring program is followed.