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

 BAT London Shares Gain 13.99% as FDA Vape Decision Draws Market Attention
BAT London Shares Gain 13.99% as FDA Vape Decision Draws Market Attention
British American Tobacco’s London-listed shares rose 13.99% last week, as investors focused on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent authorization of flavored Glas e-cigarette products, the dismissal of a U.S. sanctions-related criminal case against BAT, and the company’s previously announced share buyback plan and newer nicotine business performance.
BAT
May.18
Special Report|Haypp’s Nicotine Pouch Volumes Rise 40%: Who Controls the Digital Shelf for Modern Oral?
Special Report|Haypp’s Nicotine Pouch Volumes Rise 40%: Who Controls the Digital Shelf for Modern Oral?
Haypp Group reported a 40% year-on-year increase in nicotine pouch volumes in the first quarter of 2026, with U.S. and U.K. volumes rising 123% and 102%, respectively. Haypp says around 97% of its consumer traffic is organic and that its Media & Insights business provides brand owners with on-site visibility, trial activation and consumer intelligence. For international tobacco companies, Haypp may be both a growth partner for modern oral products and a new source of channel leverage.
Special Report
May.22
Dutch NVWA Seizes Record 277,000 Illegal Vapes; Video Shows “AL FAKHER” Cartons
Dutch NVWA Seizes Record 277,000 Illegal Vapes; Video Shows “AL FAKHER” Cartons
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, known as the NVWA, seized more than 277,000 illegal vapes near Rotterdam and nearly 150,000 boxes of nicotine pouches in Utrecht and Rotterdam, calling them the largest batches of such products it has found to date. Video footage released by the NVWA shows some cartons in the warehouse bearing the “AL FAKHER / الفاخر” name, though the agency did not identify brands.
Jul.10
Australia Quantifies Black Market for First Time, Illicit Nicotine Products Account for About 80% of Consumption
Australia Quantifies Black Market for First Time, Illicit Nicotine Products Account for About 80% of Consumption
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released its first estimate of the illicit nicotine market, finding that about 80% of cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products consumed in 2025 came from illegal sources, reigniting debate over tobacco taxation and enforcement policies.
Jun.03
FDA Warns Retailers Over Unauthorized Nicotine Pouches Resembling Candy and Everyday Products
FDA Warns Retailers Over Unauthorized Nicotine Pouches Resembling Candy and Everyday Products
The FDA issued warning letters to eight retailers selling unauthorized nicotine pouches and dissolvable tobacco products resembling candy, breath strips and cough drops. The action highlights rising scrutiny of packaging, youth appeal and accidental ingestion risks, as the agency clarifies enforcement priorities for unauthorized ENDS and nicotine pouch products while maintaining PMTA as the legal market pathway.
Special Report
May.21
China Tobacco International HK Warns First-Half Revenue May Fall 25%-30%, Tobacco Leaf and Duty-Free Exposure Highlight Reliance on Traditional Tobacco
China Tobacco International HK Warns First-Half Revenue May Fall 25%-30%, Tobacco Leaf and Duty-Free Exposure Highlight Reliance on Traditional Tobacco
CTIHK expects first-half 2026 revenue to fall 25%-30%, mainly due to lower tobacco leaf imports and delayed cigarette shipments to China’s domestic duty-free market. Its 2025 revenue mix—nearly 90% from tobacco leaf-related businesses and less than 1% from new tobacco products—shows continued exposure to traditional supply chains and trade variables.
Jun.18