Key Points:
·Policy Trend:Senior officials of the Pakistani government have instructed the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to accelerate efforts to include tobacco-free nicotine oral products in the list of mandatory standards.
·Background & Current Status:Standard PS: 5468 was initially drafted in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifying requirements for ingredient disclosure, maximum nicotine content per pouch (20mg), labeling, and child safety warnings. To date, this standard remains voluntary for implementation, as its progress has been stalled due to bureaucratic obstacles and inter-departmental disagreements.
·Industry Advocacy:Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) requested the conversion of this standard to a mandatory one in 2024, citing approximately USD 40 million in local investments. Industry representatives argue that mandatory standards will help regulate the market, curb the proliferation of illegal and smuggled products, and boost exports (projected to exceed USD 100 million).
·Resistance & Gameplay:Although the National Standards Committee recommended converting it to a mandatory standard in June 2025, the National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) raised objections, preventing the formation of a consensus. Bribery allegations, inter-institutional power struggles, and policy divergences continue to delay the process.
·Follow-up Procedures:Currently, the draft has been submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC), and final implementation is subject to cabinet approval. The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is preparing to convert the voluntary standard into an enforceable regulation through a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO).
As reported by Profit on August 25, senior Pakistani government officials have instructed the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to speed up efforts to include nicotine-containing, tobacco-free oral products in the mandatory standards list. This move aims to boost exports (over USD 100 million) and curb the spread of illegal, smuggled, and substandard products domestically.
Sources noted the process had been stalled for months due to internal bureaucratic hurdles, but following high-level intervention, the PSQCA has now completed consultations and necessary procedures. The National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) has also shared its views on the matter.
Per official documents, Pakistan Standard PS: 5468 was initially drafted and approved in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It specifies requirements for ingredient disclosure, a 20mg nicotine cap per pouch, labeling guidelines, and child safety warnings—designed to align local production with international benchmarks and protect consumers from health risks of unregulated nicotine pouches.
In October 2024, Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) formally requested converting this voluntary standard to a mandatory one, citing USD 40 million in local investments and warning Pakistan could become a dumping ground for substandard/illegal products without implementation.
Subsequently, the National Standards Committee officially recommended making the standard mandatory in June 2025. The PSQCA then submitted a draft Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) to MoST for legal review. In August, a stakeholder consultation led by the Federal Minister for Science and Technology brought together federal/provincial officials, industry reps, and civil society. While the move gained broad technical support, NHSRC’s opposition blocked consensus. The issue has now been referred to the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC), with final approval pending cabinet nod.
Industry representatives said mandatory enforcement would not only support exports but also shield legitimate local manufacturers from smuggled goods. “Mandatory standards will ensure Pakistani products meet global safety benchmarks, boost international competitiveness, and protect domestic consumers,” an industry official stated.
However, insiders revealed bribery allegations, inter-institutional power struggles, and conflicting policy priorities continue to delay implementation, leaving PS: 5468’s future uncertain.
Pakistan is among the first countries globally to introduce voluntary standards for tobacco-free nicotine oral products. Under the PSQCA’s Certification Mark (CM) scheme, MoST is now working to issue an SRO, turning these voluntary standards into enforceable technical regulations—translating years of technical committee work and stakeholder consultations into tangible government oversight.
Internationally, similar efforts are underway: the UAE issued technical regulations for nicotine pouches earlier in 2025, requiring compliance within 180 days of publication; Sweden recently became the first “smoke-free” recognized country, setting a benchmark with widespread use of smoke-free alternatives and strict tobacco control policies that cut cigarette consumption.
Public health experts noted Pakistan has tens of millions of tobacco users and needs new tools to reduce tobacco harm. While higher tobacco taxes have been a cornerstone of tobacco control policies, poor enforcement has let the illegal cigarette market erode public health gains and government revenue. By regulating nicotine pouches via mandatory standards, officials said Pakistan can create a safer, better-regulated alternative for smokers while boosting legal exports and cracking down on illegal trade.
