Maarten van Ooyen, the Secretary of State for Health, Welfare and Sport, announced via a letter to the Lower House research data from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), which showed that approximately one in eight young people aged 12 to 19 in the Netherlands had used e-cigarette products in the past year. Three percent of young people aged 12 to 19 said they had used nicotine pouches at some point in the past.
Furthermore, the research indicates that minors mainly buy nicotine pouches and e-cigarette products through their friends or social media, while those over 18 primarily purchase these products from tobacco shops and online stores.
Maarten van Ooyen stated in the letter, "The data currently shown by the research is very worrying." He requested that the NVWA strengthen its control over age restrictions for users.
Plans to completely ban nicotine pouches
According to the Dutch Commodities Act, nicotine pouches containing more than 0.035 milligrams of nicotine per pouch are prohibited. Last year, the NVWA inspected importers, wholesalers, social media platforms, and sales points, particularly for violations found in tobacco shops and convenience stores.
The NVWA is continuing to focus on supervising these sales channels.
To prevent young people, including minors, from using these products, Maarten van Ooyen stated that he will continue to implement relevant measures to combat the attractiveness of these products to minors.
"This year, a ban on flavored e-cigarettes has already been introduced, and a comprehensive ban on nicotine pouches will also be introduced in the future."
Maarten van Ooyen plans to completely ban nicotine pouches in accordance with the Dutch Tobacco and Tobacco Products Act. He intends to regulate other non-oral nicotine products by including nicotine products in the Tobacco and Tobacco Products Act, which means that all advertising of consumer products containing nicotine will be prohibited in the future.
Continue the anti-smoking campaign
Finally, he promised to continue the "anti-smoking campaign" and focus on preventing the risks of third-hand smoke (referring to the health problems caused by tobacco smoke residues in the air, on surfaces, and in indoor dust that are subsequently inhaled or touched by others), including the ban on smoking in cars.
According to 2Firsts previous reports, in the latest inspection by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) (referring to the law enforcement agency conducting periodic inspections of regions, businesses, or individuals to confirm compliance with legal regulations), two-thirds of the stores (23 out of 35) did not require ID and sold cigarettes and e-cigarettes to minors.
Further reading:
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is a government agency responsible for supervising and protecting food safety, animal and plant health, animal welfare, and consumer product safety in the Netherlands. The NVWA is responsible for testing, regulating, law enforcement, and information disclosure of food and consumer products.
Also read:
[1] Nearly two-thirds of Dutch stores sell e-cigarettes to minors
[2] Belgium officially announces the ban on nicotine pouches
References:
[1] Kamerbrief rapporten en handhavingsresultaten tabaksontmoediging
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