France to Ban Nicotine Pouches from March 2026
France is set to ban nicotine pouches, referred to in a new decree as “oral use products containing nicotine,” in a significant move to combat the rising popularity of these products, especially among young people. The decree, published on September 6th, will prohibit the production, sale, transport, import, export, and consumption of these products in France, with the ban taking full effect six months after publication, on March 1, 2026.
The French government justifies the ban by classifying nicotine as a “poisonous substance” that can only be used or marketed under specific, regulated conditions, such as in authorized tobacco products, vaping items, or medical products. The new prohibition targets all manufactured products, whether made from synthetic or natural nicotine, intended for human consumption via ingestion or absorption. However, the ban includes exemptions for “chewing tobaccos,” regulated medicines and medical devices like nicotine patches, and foodstuffs that naturally contain nicotine (such as eggplants, tomatoes, and potatoes). The Ministry of Health may also grant derogations for research purposes.
The National Committee Against Smoking (CNCT) has praised the decree, calling it an “indispensable response” to the rapid proliferation of nicotine pouches, which appeared in France in late 2022. The CNCT stated, “Their discreet format, sweet and fruity flavors, as well as their strong marketing, make them particularly attractive products for adolescents and young adults.” The committee also highlighted that poison control centers have reported several cases of intoxication, reinforcing health authorities’ concerns.
This concern is supported by a 2023 alert from the national environmental safety agency (ANSES), which noted that the majority of individuals intoxicated by nicotine or snus pouches were aged 12 to 17. These adolescents presented with sometimes severe acute nicotine syndromes, including prolonged vomiting, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. A 2024 study by the CNCT and “60 Millions de Consommateurs” also reportedly revealed the presence of lead and arsenic in some nicotine pouches.
However, the ban has been met with disappointment from the industry. Norbert Neuwy, founder of the company Nicoswitch, told “Le Monde du Tabac” that he regrets the decision to discard a harm reduction tool that has proven effective in countries like Sweden, where nicotine pouches contribute to a “tobacco-free world” goal. “Instead of banning, it would be entirely possible to regulate the sale of these products with adapted regulations, guaranteeing consumer safety and even generating tax revenue for the state,” Neuwy argued.
While welcoming the ban, the CNCT also issued a warning about enforcement, insisting that the prohibition must be fully respected. “The experience of the ban on disposable e-cigarettes, the ‘puffs,’ which are still available despite the law, shows that the effectiveness of measures depends above all on the firmness of controls and the severity of sanctions,” the committee stated.
- News source: Les sachets de nicotine enfin interdits
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