“Pouches”, flavored nicotine sachets, soon to be banned in France

Nicotine sachets, called “pouches”, will soon be banned, announced Tuesday October 29, the Minister of Health, Geneviève Darrieussecq, a few days before the start of “no tobacco month”, in November. This product, which is particularly aimed at young people, does not contain tobacco, unlike snus, banned in the European Union since 1992. Appearing recently, they contain, in a permeable fabric, polymer fibers impregnated with nicotine and aromas and slip between the lip and the gum.

“The government has decided to ban these products, whether they are sachets containing nicotine to be placed in the mouth, against the gum or under the tongue, which we call “pouches”, but also similar products which are just as problematic, in the form of erasers or marbles”explains the minister in an interview with Parisian. “The marketing of these products is directly targeted towards young people and I hope that we can protect our youth”she adds, specifying that a “ban text will be published in the coming weeks”.

“I am very concerned because poison control centers are receiving more and more calls from adolescents for sometimes severe acute nicotine syndromes, linked to the consumption of the pouches. They result in vomiting, convulsions, hypotension and even disturbances of consciousness.describes the minister. “These are dangerous products because they contain high doses of nicotine. It is our duty to prohibit its marketing”she concludes.

Upcoming promulgation of the law against “puffs”

In November 2023, ANSES called for particular vigilance “ on these sachets, emphasizing that these products, like aromatic beads, were causing more and more poisoning. “Children and adolescents are the main victims”noted the health agency. Last May, the National Committee Against Smoking (CNCT) announced the filing of a complaint for “trafficking in poisonous substances” facing the sale “illegal” of these nicotine sachets, calling for their ban.

Geneviève Darrieussecq also specifies that the transpartisan bill adopted in Parliament at the start of the year to ban “puffs”, these single-use electronic cigarettes also popular with young people, should be promulgated “in the coming weeks”. “I aim to stop their marketing before the end of the year”she said.