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

Nov.22.2024

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.

References:

[1] Drogenbeauftragter hält an Verbot von Nikotinbeuteln fest

Also Read:

[1] E-cigarette use in Germany up 38% in seven years, disposables most popular

[2] Germany Urged to Ban Disposable Vapes Following European Examples

[3] German Customs Seizes 3,000ml of Untaxed Vape Liquid Worth €1,000

[4] PMI to shut two German factories amid falling European smoking demand

[5] German customs seize 12,500 smuggled e-cigarettes on highway

[6] German environment ministry urges EU-wide ban on disposable e-cigarettes

#Europe #Legislation #Germany #Nicotine pouches

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