Danish Study Warns Proposed Nicotine Pouch Regulations Could Drive Up Smoking Rates, Economic Losses

Dec.05.2024
Danish Study Warns Proposed Nicotine Pouch Regulations Could Drive Up Smoking Rates, Economic Losses
A study reveals that Denmark's proposed nicotine pouch regulations may undermine the country's progress in reducing smoking rates since 2018 and predicts that by 2030, the Danish retail industry could lose up to $85 million.

On December 4, the American Tholos Foundation announced a groundbreaking study in collaboration with IPSOS and Harvard Business School Economics that reveals the risks of Denmark's proposed regulation to limit the nicotine content in pouches to 9 milligrams per pouch.

 

A study shows that if the proposal is implemented, half (50%) of current nicotine pouch users will choose other purchasing channels, including online platforms or buying across the borders of other EU countries; one-fifth (18%) of users may switch back to smoking; the proposal also threatens Denmark's achievement of reducing smoking rates from 19% in 2018 to 14% by 2023.

 

A study has found that three-quarters (75%) of users choose nicotine pouches for health reasons, primarily to reduce or quit smoking; one-third (33%) of adults believe these products are a safer alternative to cigarettes; proposed restrictions could severely undermine strategies to reduce smoking rates.

 

According to the study, if the new regulations are implemented, the retail industry in Denmark could lose 400 million Danish kroner (approximately 57 million US dollars) by 2025, with this loss potentially increasing to 600 million Danish kroner (85 million US dollars) by 2030. It is estimated that tax revenue will decrease from 296 million Danish kroner (42 million US dollars) in 2025 to 435 million Danish kroner (62 million US dollars) in 2030.

 

More than half of Danish adults oppose the proposed restrictions on nicotine, with 80% of users believing that nicotine pouches are crucial for keeping them away from cigarettes.

 

"These findings underscore the potential for significant consequences in terms of public health," said the Tholos Foundation's Director of Consumer Issues, Tim Andrews. 

 

"The proposed nicotine limit in nicotine pouches risks reversing hard-won progress in reducing smoking while creating new challenges, including black market growth and substantial economic losses."

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | LOST MARY launches X-LINK series on its Russian website: near-identical to ELFBAR JOINOne, plus two new adjustable pods
Product | LOST MARY launches X-LINK series on its Russian website: near-identical to ELFBAR JOINOne, plus two new adjustable pods
LOST MARY has officially launched the X-LINK e-cigarette series on its Russian website. The lineup closely mirrors ELFBAR’s JOINOne in architecture and features, and adds two new adjustable pods—one for sweetness control and one for nicotine strength—expanding the compatible pod types to four (cooling/ice, classic, sweetness-adjustable, and nicotine-adjustable).
Dec.01 by 2FIRSTS.ai
KT&G Q3 Net Profit Up 73%; Overseas NGP Revenue Nearly Doubles, Nicotine Pouch Expansion Set to Launch Globally
KT&G Q3 Net Profit Up 73%; Overseas NGP Revenue Nearly Doubles, Nicotine Pouch Expansion Set to Launch Globally
KT&G reported its Q3 2025 financial results, posting revenue of KRW 1.83 trillion (≈USD 1.31 billion) and a 73.4% year-over-year surge in net profit—marking the company’s highest operating profit in five years. The Next Generation Product (NGP) segment performed strongly, generating KRW 279.1 billion (≈USD 199 million) in revenue, with overseas NGP sales more than doubling year-over-year.
Nov.06
Philippines police seize $200k worth of illegal e-cigarette products, arrest 2 suspects
Philippines police seize $200k worth of illegal e-cigarette products, arrest 2 suspects
Philippine police in Cavite seize $200,000 worth of illegal e-cigarette products, arresting two suspects. Crackdown on smuggling intensifies.
Oct.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exclusive Interview | What’s Changing in Cigars? A Data Firm’s Perspective on the Industry’s Turning Point
Exclusive Interview | What’s Changing in Cigars? A Data Firm’s Perspective on the Industry’s Turning Point
As regulations tighten, consumer habits evolve, and new nicotine products reshape the market, the cigar industry is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. In this exclusive interview, 2Firsts speaks with Cigar Sense — a data-driven sensory analysis firm — to explore what’s really changing in cigars, and what it means for manufacturers, retailers, and smokers around the world.
Nov.10
Special Report| Vuse Gains as U.S. Cracks Down on Illegal Vapes, But a $590 Million China Export Shadow Looms
Special Report| Vuse Gains as U.S. Cracks Down on Illegal Vapes, But a $590 Million China Export Shadow Looms
The payoff is here: BAT’s Vuse has seized a rare regulatory vacuum to reverse its U.S. slide, capitalizing on a crackdown that seemingly compressed the illicit market to 54%. But the victory is fragile. A record $590 million export shock in October signals the gray market is striking back—pitting a fleeting compliance dividend against a massive inventory wall.
BAT
Dec.09
Czech Republic to Tighten E-Cigarette Rules in December, Ban Candy Flavours and Cannabinoids
Czech Republic to Tighten E-Cigarette Rules in December, Ban Candy Flavours and Cannabinoids
Czech Republic will tighten regulations on the sale and labelling of e-cigarettes from December. Manufacturers will have seven months to sell existing stock, after which candy-flavoured or cannabinoid-containing e-cigarettes will be banned. A survey by the National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) found that nearly 14% of the population used e-cigarettes in 2024 — almost triple the rate five years earlier.
Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai