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

China Boton Group Posts 2025 Revenue of RMB 1.496 Billion, With E-Cigarette Product Revenue Up 4.6%
China Boton Group Posts 2025 Revenue of RMB 1.496 Billion, With E-Cigarette Product Revenue Up 4.6%
China Boton Group reported its results for the year ended December 31, 2025. Revenue was RMB 1.496 billion, down about 9.5% from RMB 1.653 billion in 2024. Gross profit was RMB 377.1 million, with a gross margin of 25.2%, and the group recorded a net loss of RMB 1.000 billion for the year.
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
IQOS UK unveils 2026 pop-up events plan, first stops set for London and three other cities
IQOS UK unveils 2026 pop-up events plan, first stops set for London and three other cities
IQOS’ UK website shows the company will roll out time-limited pop-up experience spaces across Britain in 2026 for adult consumers. The first confirmed locations are London, the West Midlands area near Birmingham, Manchester and Romford, offering product demonstrations, pop-up-only promotions and nicotine pouch sampling. Entry will be restricted to those aged 18 and over, with “Challenge 25” ID checks in place.
Feb.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT FY2025 Results Review Series by 2Firsts
BAT FY2025 Results Review Series by 2Firsts
Feb.12
Special Report|From Nicotine Pouches to Jelly? A China Tobacco Patent Explores Dual-Release NRT
Special Report|From Nicotine Pouches to Jelly? A China Tobacco Patent Explores Dual-Release NRT
A patent published on February 24, 2026, by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd. introduces a “nicotine jelly” product designed to combine rapid and sustained nicotine delivery. By integrating both free and microencapsulated nicotine, the product aims to address key limitations of traditional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), while also raising new regulatory and product classification questions.
Innovation
Mar.18
Scandinavian Tobacco Group to Hold Annual General Meeting on April 15
Scandinavian Tobacco Group to Hold Annual General Meeting on April 15
Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S has issued notice of its annual general meeting, which will be held on April 15, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. in Copenhagen and will also be available by live webcast.
Mar.25 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
PMI Faces Setback in India: Global Regulatory Fragmentation Complicates Its Smoke-Free Transition
India has reaffirmed its 2019 ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco devices, effectively blocking Philip Morris International (PMI) from launching IQOS in the country despite years of lobbying. Together with Taiwan, China’s conditional opening of heated tobacco products, and Japan’s planned 2026 excise tax hikes, these moves highlight increasingly divergent national regulatory pathways—an external uncertainty shaping PMI’s smoke-free growth trajectory.
Feb.12