German Drug and Addiction Commissioner Backs Nicotine Pouch Ban, Calls for Stricter Regulation

Nov.22.2024
German Drug and Addiction Commissioner Backs Nicotine Pouch Ban, Calls for Stricter Regulation
Germany's Federal Drug and Addiction Commissioner has called for stricter enforcement of the nicotine pouch ban, highlighting shortcomings in the current implementation of youth protection regulations.

According to GMX on November 22, German Federal Drug and Addiction Commissioner Burkhard Blienert is pushing for a ban on nicotine pouches.

 

The commissioner stated in an interview with the German news agency: "Nicotine pouches are neither healthy nor safe. People can ingest large amounts of nicotine in a short period of time through them, and the product is highly addictive."

 

He believes that solely relying on youth protection laws is impractical, which has been validated in the current situation of disposable vapes.

 

Addiction counselors pointed out that nicotine pouches are becoming increasingly popular among students. Despite the products being banned from sale, they can still be purchased online. Prevention organizations criticized the lack of enforcement of the ban.

 

The coordinator of the Lower Saxony Addiction Office, Ricarda Henze, said, "The enforcement of laws protecting teenagers must be strictly monitored, and strict punishments should be imposed for violations."

 

Burkhard Blienert is the Commissioner for Drug and Addiction Policy of the Federal Government in Germany, and has been serving as the Federal Commissioner for Drugs in the Federal Ministry of Health under Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government since 2022.

 

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

iMiracle and VPR Reach Preliminary Settlement in ‘Elf’ Trademark Dispute, Potentially Ending Three-Year Legal Battle
iMiracle and VPR Reach Preliminary Settlement in ‘Elf’ Trademark Dispute, Potentially Ending Three-Year Legal Battle
According to Law360, VPR Brands and iMiracle have filed a joint notice in federal court in Florida stating that they have signed a settlement term sheet and plan to finalize a global settlement within 30 days that would resolve multiple lawsuits. The dispute, which began in 2022 and centers on the “Elf” trademark, has involved injunctions, counterclaims and a key ruling by the Federal Circuit overturning a lower court’s order.
Dec.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Thailand Seizes Over 42,000 Illegal Vapes Worth USD 340,000
Thailand Seizes Over 42,000 Illegal Vapes Worth USD 340,000
Thai authorities announced the seizure of more than 42,000 smuggled vapes worth approximately THB 10.87 million (USD 340,000).
Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Taps McLaren Title Win for Travel Retail Activation, Launches VELO “Champions’ Edition” Nicotine Pouches
BAT Taps McLaren Title Win for Travel Retail Activation, Launches VELO “Champions’ Edition” Nicotine Pouches
British American Tobacco (BAT) is leveraging McLaren F1 Team’s 2025 Constructors’ Championship win to roll out a VELO×McLaren brand activation across the travel retail market. The campaign spans major airports in Abu Dhabi, the UK, Ireland and Spain, alongside the launch of a VELO “Champions’ Edition” product.
Dec.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Japan Tobacco seeks retail price hike for Ploom tobacco sticks; EVO and others to rise by 30 yen per pack
Japan Tobacco seeks retail price hike for Ploom tobacco sticks; EVO and others to rise by 30 yen per pack
Japan Tobacco (JT) said it has applied to raise retail prices for its heated tobacco-related products from April 1, 2026, covering 37 variants of Ploom tobacco sticks and with capsules, with most increases at 20–30 yen per pack (about $0.13–$0.19).
Jan.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis to hold public hearings on e-cigarette use in the 2026 spring session
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis to hold public hearings on e-cigarette use in the 2026 spring session
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis will hold public hearings regarding the use of e-cigarettes. The topic has been included in the 2026 spring session work plan of the Milli Majlis Committee on Agrarian Policy. During the spring session, the committee plans to convene a public hearing titled “Health is our goal: an end to e-cigarettes.”
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
British American Tobacco to close South Africa cigarette plant by end-2026, citing illicit trade squeezing legal market
British American Tobacco to close South Africa cigarette plant by end-2026, citing illicit trade squeezing legal market
British American Tobacco South Africa (BATSA) said it will halt local production of factory-made cigarettes and close its manufacturing plant in Heidelberg, Gauteng by the end of 2026, shifting to an import-led supply model. The company said illicit cigarettes now account for about 75% of South Africa’s market, making local manufacturing “unsustainable” and putting around 230 jobs at risk.
Jan.16