The rapid growth of the oral nicotine pouch category has been one of the most significant shifts in global tobacco harm reduction over the past decade. From Sweden to the United States, millions of smokers are turning to pouches as a smoke-free, discreet, and lower-risk alternative to combustible tobacco. But as demand rises, so too…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced strengthened requirements for child-resistant packaging (CRP) on nicotine products, underscoring the critical importance of safeguarding children while balancing access for adult smokers seeking reduced-risk alternatives. The decision comes amid rising concerns about accidental ingestion of nicotine pouches, e-liquids, and other smoke-free products. Although these products pose…
A new U.S. study is shedding light on how nicotine pouches may play a meaningful role in helping adults transition away from more harmful forms of tobacco. Research led by Dr. Cristine Delnevo, Distinguished Professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, points to a clear pattern: the data reveal that pouch use is concentrated…
In July 2024, Canada banned the legal sale of nicotine pouches, restricting them to prescription-only access through Health Canada’s medical framework. At the time, regulators argued the move was necessary to protect youth from nicotine initiation. One year later, the results are clear and deeply troubling. Instead of reducing use, the prohibition has created the…
A coalition of 83 distinguished global authorities in public health, nicotine dependence, and tobacco control has issued a forceful open letter to the President of the European Commission and Commissioners. Their unified message: imposing steep new taxes on reduced-risk nicotine alternatives, such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches, would be a grave misstep. They…
Nicotine pouches, small tobacco-free sachets delivering nicotine orally, are emerging globally as a potential harm reduction tool. In Saudi Arabia, where smoking remains a major health burden and cultural factors shape patterns of tobacco use, new research provides the first comprehensive look at how nicotine pouches are being adopted, their perceived benefits, and the risks…
The European Union is preparing its most ambitious overhaul of tobacco and nicotine regulation in over a decade. With the simultaneous review of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), the Tobacco Advertising Directive (TAD), and a comprehensive recast of the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED), Brussels is signaling a shift that will affect consumers, governments, and the…
Contribution from Nancy Loucas The inaugural Asia Forum on Nicotine (AFN25), hosted by the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) on 27 August, was a resounding success. The event drew together global experts, advocates, and consumers to champion evidence-based harm reduction strategies tailored to the Asia-Pacific region’s staggering 781 million tobacco users,…
Asia, the world’s largest consumer of combustible tobacco, is becoming a critical region in shaping the regulatory future of nicotine pouches and other smoke-free products. As governments across the continent respond to rising demand for safer nicotine alternatives, the picture that emerges is far from uniform. Regulations range from strict prohibitions and pharmaceutical-style oversight to…
Nicotine has long been misunderstood. Decades of public health messaging, though well-intentioned, have blurred the lines between nicotine itself and the deadly effects of combustible tobacco. A recent study published by the American Psychological Association underscores how deeply these misperceptions run, and why correcting them is essential for effective harm reduction. Misperceptions That Fuel Mistrust…