According to Brussels Times reported on November 26, despite the Belgian government banning the sale of nicotine pouches a year ago, the product is still widely available for offline purchase.
Government data shows that in 2024, authorities found 318 out of 1,781 inspected shops were not complying with the nicotine pouch ban, resulting in the confiscation of 3,273 packets of nicotine pouches.
Annelies Wynant, spokesperson for the Belgian Ministry of Health, revealed to the media that businesses are very creative in circumventing regulations, hiding nicotine pouches in places like washing machines, chip boxes, and ovens. The illegal sale of nicotine pouches usually results in fines, with amounts typically ranging between 208 euros and 120,000 euros.
The Brussels Times found in their investigation that local stores are still selling a variety of flavored nicotine pouches. Huai Nan Te stated that in addition to illegal sales in stores, online sellers have also become a major obstacle to enforcing the ban. She pointed out that they have set up an e-commerce service, but the current focus is still on the online sales and advertising of e-cigarettes, rather than nicotine pouches.
She noted that the online sales issue should be handled by the police rather than the Ministry of Health, as the Ministry of Health "lacks the necessary expertise and resources to effectively address this issue." The success of the ban requires a deeper understanding of the industry and the sharing of information. Despite the constantly changing market, neighboring countries' bans will help Belgium implement its own ban.
Belgium banned the sale of nicotine pouches in October 2023. Former Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke believes that, despite not containing tobacco, nicotine pouches could serve as a gateway to smoking.
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