Key points:
The French government is considering banning nicotine pouches, despite these products being considered an effective means of quitting smoking.
Industry insiders and some experts criticize the government's decision, arguing that it may encourage the growth of the black market.
The EU currently lacks a unified regulatory policy on nicotine pouches, and France's ban may prompt the EU to have a wider discussion on legislation for alternative tobacco products.
According to a report by the Westernstandard on March 2nd, the French government's proposal to ban the sale of nicotine pouches has sparked criticism from experts.
The French government notified the EU on February 25th of a "draft law" banning the sale of disposable e-cigarettes. This decision comes after the French parliament voted in early February to ban disposable e-cigarettes. Critics argue that this dual ban reduces the options available to consumers for smoke-free tools, while French officials state that the ban primarily targets the increasing number of young people using nicotine pouches.
Industry insiders believe that this decision goes against logic and science. The British American Tobacco France company said that this decision is "outrageous". Critics of the ban are concerned that it may prompt consumers to turn to the illegal market or revert to using traditional cigarettes.
Estonian Health Minister Riina Sikkut recently stated in an interview with Euractiv: "We not only need a smoke-free generation, but also a nicotine-free generation." This decision in France aligns with Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, all of which have banned the sale of nicotine pouches.
Currently, there is no unified regulation for nicotine pouches at the EU level. The 2014 Tobacco Products Directive covers tobacco products but does not include smokeless tobacco products. The European Commission has postponed any revisions to tobacco legislation.
According to reports, the European nicotine pouch market is expected to reach approximately 10.6 billion euros by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 6.2%. Tobacco giants such as Philip Morris International (PMI), Imperial Tobacco, and Japan Tobacco International have made significant investments in this sector. They argue that safer alternatives should not be equated with traditional cigarettes and call for a balanced regulatory framework.
Industry observers point out that Poland, currently holding the presidency of the European Union Council, may push for a wider discussion on taxing alternative tobacco products.
Some European health ministers believe that the European Commission should address this issue promptly, as any delays will only allow businesses to exploit loopholes in existing laws. British American Tobacco France had previously proposed regulating nicotine pouches instead of banning them, urging governments to enforce strict regulations such as prohibiting sales to minors, limiting nicotine content, and restricting marketing activities targeting young people.
France continues to enforce a ban aimed at addressing the increasing rates of teenage use. It is still unclear whether this ban will be effective in reducing usage, curbing the expansion of the illegal market, or sparking coordinated actions within the European Union.
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