Regulation of Nicotine Pouches
Nicotine is contained in tiny, permeable pouches called nicotine pouches. Nicotine can be generated synthetically or obtained from tobacco plants. Nicotine pouches are sold all over the world, however, it is unclear how these goods are regulated in different countries around the world.
Internationally, nicotine pouches are governed by a range of laws, ranging from complete prohibitions to selective or partial control based on official classification and definitions. There are frequently no regulations in existence. The Institute for Global Tobacco Control monitors and disseminates global regulatory strategies.
Different regulations apply to nicotine pouches than to other tobacco products:
Since nicotine pouches don’t contain tobacco, they are not subject to the same regulations as traditional and electronic cigarettes and only regular consumer product safety requirements apply to these rules and regulations. This implies that anybody under the age of 18 may purchase them. Similar to items made of tobacco, they are also readily available online. Since nicotine pouches are marketed similarly to candies and soft drinks, they are likely to appeal to children and young adults. Moreover, because of a legal gap, it is now permitted to sell nicotine pouches to minors. Despite the tobacco industry’s voluntary rules governing product strength and sales to under-18s, a legal gap has allowed internet businesses, in particular, to sell nicotine pouches to under-18s.
European Union
While tobacco snus is prohibited throughout the EU, nicotine pouches are exempt from the present tobacco product laws. The Tobacco Products Directive might reconsider this in its upcoming version. Nonetheless, how each member nation regulates these goods varies.
Regulation differs greatly in other parts of Europe. Although nicotine is controlled in France as a dangerous drug, pouches for quitting can be licensed as a medication. Nicotine pouches are no longer considered drugs in Finland unless they are sold as such. A complete prohibition on nicotine pouches and other modern goods was repealed in Norway and was replaced with a system of market approval. Nicotine pouches made of tobacco and synthetic materials are both controlled, however sponsorship and advertising are not banned.
Fresh and Developing Markets
Only items produced from tobacco are controlled as tobacco products in a few low- and middle-income nations, such as Argentina, Bangladesh, Georgia, Indonesia, India, and Nigeria; products made from synthetic nicotine are not. Others regulate both as tobacco products, such as Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Brazil, and Iran. Although there are no particular laws regulating synthetic nicotine pouches in Ukraine, they are subject to food product rules. While Uruguay classifies nicotine pouches as a type of nicotine replacement treatment, Mauritius outlaws both.
In summary, this research provides a new understanding of national regulatory strategies and the markets for nicotine pouches. Different policy approaches range from outlawing both types of nicotine pouches to not regulating nicotine pouches at all. The regulations imposed by nations that control nicotine pouches made from tobacco and synthetic materials provide a model for other regulatory bodies looking to implement efficient measures to restrict the use of these and other non-medical nicotine products.
