New Zealand Bans Nicotine Pouches in Smokefree Bill
New Zealand has taken a significant step in its efforts to become smokefree by 2025 with the implementation of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill. The bill, which came into effect on November 11th, includes a ban on nicotine pouches such as NicNac, QuickFuel, and White Fox.
Nicotine pouches are small, tea bag-like pouches that are placed under the upper lip for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the desired nicotine dose. Unlike traditional tobacco products, these pouches are tobacco-free, odour-free, and do not require spitting.
Miles Illemann, a distributor of nicotine pouches in New Zealand, had previously expressed his belief that these products are more effective than e-cigarettes in helping people quit smoking. He cited the success rates of nicotine pouches in European countries, where smoking prevalence has dropped to as low as 5% in Sweden and Norway for people under 34 years old.
However, the new bill’s ban on nicotine pouches has been seen as a setback for tobacco harm reduction efforts in New Zealand. The bill also introduces other restrictions, such as raising the tobacco age limit to 18, limiting the sales of flavoured vaping products to specialist vape retailers, implementing new advertising regulations, and establishing product safety standards.
Despite the ban, a recent study conducted by British American Tobacco (BAT) suggests that nicotine pouches may be safer than traditional cigarettes and Swedish-style snus. The study found that BAT’s Velo nicotine pouches were less biologically active than cigarette smoke and snus, even at higher nicotine concentrations.
As New Zealand continues its journey towards becoming smokefree by 2025, the impact of the nicotine pouch ban on tobacco harm reduction efforts remains to be seen.
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