Ukrainian Committee Chair Says Nicotine Pouches Should Be Fully Banned for Sale to Minors

Key Takeaways

• Mykhailo Radutskyi said nicotine pouches should be fully banned for sale to minors.
• He also said advertising of nicotine pouches should be restricted.
• A parliamentary committee in Ukraine has prepared bill No. 14110-д.
• The bill is intended to regulate the circulation of new nicotine-containing products.
• Radutskyi said tobacco consumption is rising in Ukraine, including among young people.

2Firsts, April 7, 2026

According to SUD, Mykhailo Radutskyi, chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Health, Medical Assistance and Medical Insurance, said nicotine pouches should be fully banned for sale to minors and their advertising should be restricted.

Ukraine says current tobacco control law needs updating to address new products

Mykhailo Radutskyi said Ukraine’s current anti-tobacco legislation, which was formed with reference to European directives, now needs to be updated. He linked this to the appearance of new nicotine-containing products on the market, for which there are currently no clear rules, especially regarding advertising and sales to children.

He said that, as in other countries, new tobacco products such as snus and nicotine pouches have appeared on the Ukrainian market. These products contain nicotine, which he said is harmful in any quantity.

A parliamentary committee has prepared bill No. 14110-д

Mykhailo Radutskyi said that because these are new products, their circulation in Ukraine is effectively not regulated. At present, they can be freely sold and advertised, and there is not even a direct ban on sales to minors.

For that reason, the relevant parliamentary committee has prepared bill No. 14110-д to improve anti-tobacco legislation. According to his statement, the bill would introduce a full ban on the sale of nicotine pouches to minors and restrictions on their advertising.

Ukraine also plans tighter rules on vape components and cigarette pack standards

Mykhailo Radutskyi also said that other areas of nicotine product circulation require changes. For example, although e-cigarettes are banned, their components, including batteries and refill liquids, are still imported into Ukraine and then sold on the domestic market.

He also said that cigarette pack standardisation has still not been implemented in Ukraine, including the requirement that health warnings occupy 65.00% of the front and back surfaces of the pack.

Radutskyi said tobacco consumption is rising in Ukraine, including among young people. He stressed that when excise revenue is assessed, the state costs of treating the consequences of smoking are often not taken into account, which is why updating anti-tobacco legislation is important.

Image source: SUD