Author-Markus

Markus Lindblad

Head of Legal & External Affairs

About Markus

Markus Lindblad is Head of Legal & External Affairs at Haypp, advocating for alternative nicotine products and leading tobacco harm reduction campaigns.

Markus has been working with Haypp since 2018 and is passionate about helping make the UK smoke-free. He is a former adviser in corporate communication & government affairs at several communications agencies. He also held several senior positions in regulated industries such as banking, finance, and tobacco. Markus studied economic history and political science at Stockholm University.

He enjoys taking care of his kids and keeping them and their friends out of trouble! He likes working out, especially running in the forest. Markus also has a weakness for good food and good wine and enjoying both in the Stockholm Archipelago.

Expertise:

Strategic communications
Government Relations
Public Affairs
Regulatory Affairs

Most recent articles

More articles from the author

a pack of cigarettes next to a can of nicotine pouches

Nicotine Pouch Use Highest Among Smokers and Ex-Smokers

A new report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) shows that nicotine pouch use in Great Britain is mostly concentrated among people who smoke or have smoked in the past. The data shows no indications that pouch use is increasing among adults who have never smoked.

2026-07-16 2 min read

a group of people talking and smiling

Why Healthy Life Years Matter More Than Lifespan

Healthy life years matter more than lifespan alone, with a new report suggesting that living longer is only beneficial if those additional years are spent in good health. The report also explores how the UK, Ireland, and EU countries compare on healthy ageing, finding that Ireland leads compared to parts of the UK.

2026-07-08 3 min read

open can of nicotine pouches and vapes

Nicotine Harm Perceptions in the UK: Part One

How do views about nicotine differ between cigarette smokers, vapers, nicotine pouch users, and people who do not use nicotine at all? Our latest UK survey suggests that product experience plays a major role in how adults understand—and often misunderstand—the effects of nicotine.

2026-07-08 5 min read

Flat overlay of vapes, nicotine pouches, and cigarettes

Nicotine Harm Perceptions in the UK: Part Two

Part Two of our UK nicotine harm perceptions series looks at where people who use different products get their information—and why that matters.

2026-07-08 4 min read

The US Just Made Relative Risk Harder To Ignore

The FDA has authorised modified risk claims for 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products, recognising that switching completely from cigarettes can reduce the risk of certain smoking-related diseases. Find out why this decision is important for the UK debate on tobacco harm reduction.

2026-07-03 2 min read

Women lights up a cigarette

The Problem with Tobacco Control and How to Fix It

Smoking rates have fallen over the past 20 years, but progress is slowing. MPOWER is a World Health Organization framework that relies on taxes, restrictions, and bans to reduce smoking. This article discusses an alternative EMPOWER framework that could push smoking rates down further.

2026-06-30 3 min read

hand with credit card next to a laptop screen showing online shop

The UK’s ‘Digital Wild West’ Puts UK Consumers At Risk

The digital wild west of modern e-commerce is putting UK consumers at risk and making it easier for underage users to access adult-only products. Haypp is calling for updated regulations to close loopholes and hold online sellers accountable.

2026-06-30 3 min read

Former WHO Experts Urge UK to Rethink Smoking Policy - Haypp UK

Former WHO Researchers Call for Harm Reduction to Tackle Smoking

A new article in the medical journal The Lancet argues that UK tobacco and nicotine policy needs to shift its focus. As well as preventing young people from starting to smoke, policy must also aim to reduce smoking rates among current adults smokers. According to the researchers, creating a “smoke-free generation” is not enough to stop the harms caused by smoking.

2026-06-30 2 min read

US Military warns: Nicotine Pouches Could Lead to Prison in France

US Military warns: Nicotine Pouches Could Lead to Prison in France

American soldiers travelling through Europe are now being told to leave their nicotine pouches at home. The reason is France’s new total ban on pouches – a law that can lead to high fines and even prison. The ban has been criticised by Sweden and other countries that support a more risk-based approach to the regulation of nicotine products.

2026-06-23 2 min read

Study: Fruit Vape Flavours Aid UK Smoking Cessation

Study Highlights Prominent Role of Fruit Flavours in UK Stop Smoking Services

Flavoured vaping products are a central feature of smoking cessation support provided by many UK stop smoking services.

2026-06-09 3 min read

Sydney Opera House against a blue sky

Illegal Tobacco and Nicotine Policy: Lessons from Australia and Sweden

Australia has in recent years experienced a rapidly growing illegal cigarette market, a development that coincides with extremely high taxes and very strict regulation of nicotine products.

2026-06-04 3 min read

Argentina Reverses 15-Year Vape Ban: Lessons for the UK

Argentina Makes a U-Turn After 15 Years

After 15 years of prohibition, Argentina is changing course. The country is now legalising e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products, in a clear acknowledgement that prohibition does not work. At the same time, it raises an important question: is the UK at risk of heading in the opposite direction?

2026-06-03 3 min read

A bin with used disposable vapes falling out

The Disposable Vape Ban: One Year On

One year has passed since the disposable vape ban was introduced in the UK. New survey data from Haypp suggests that the ban has not worked as intended and has instead pushed some vapers towards illicit products or a return to smoking.

2026-06-02 3 min read

Map of England with drawing pins across the map

UK Hotspots For Illicit Nicotine Products Exposed

New Freedom of Information data, analysed by the team at Haypp, reveals where enforcement against illegal nicotine-containing products is most concentrated across the UK. With more than 3,000 seizure incidents recorded in 2024/25 alone, the findings highlight the scale of activity involving unregulated nicotine products.

2026-06-02 4 min read

european union flag

EU Report Raises Questions About Nicotine Pouches

A growing debate around nicotine pouches is unfolding in Europe. At the centre is a report from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), which calls for caution and highlights uncertainties regarding the long-term health effects of these products.

2026-05-21 3 min read

Success Rates of Stop Smoking Services

Success Rates of Stop Smoking Services in England

England’s stop smoking services have helped reduce smoking rates for 25 years. Using NHS data from 2025, Haypp’s interactive map reveals which local authorities are helping the most smokers quit, which stop-smoking aids are most effective, and how services are performing across England.

2026-05-11 4 min read

Person with outstretched hands, with a vape in each hand

Vaping Overtakes Smoking in UK—But Tax Hike Awaits

Millions of people across the UK are set to pay more for vape products this autumn, driven by new and increased nicotine-related taxes. With vaping overtaking smoking in the UK in 2024, these tax hikes raise questions about public health, harm reduction and political priorities.

2026-04-21 3 min read

vaping laws in different countries

Vaping Laws in Different Countries

With tighter vape regulations introduced in the UK in 2025, many of our favourite destinations are following suit. A few of these countries now hit you with hefty fines—or even prison time—if you don’t follow the rules. Find out what you need to know before travelling abroad with your vape.

2026-04-08 5 min read

A Guide to UK Vaping Laws - Haypp UK

A Guide to UK Vaping Laws

UK vaping laws regulate how vape products are sold, marketed, and used. This guide outlines current rules, including age restrictions, product limits, and recent regulatory changes.

2026-03-30 6 min read

Westminster, representing government regulation (including strength limit) of nicotine pouches

Why Haypp Believes in A 20mg Strength Limit

The UK government is introducing new regulations on nicotine pouches, including a nicotine strength limit on pouches. Haypp believes that the limit should be a 20mg per pouch upper limit. This limit is based on the scientific evidence and our focus on consumer welfare.

2026-03-13 3 min read

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