Ban on “pouches” in France

Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq has announced an upcoming ban on nicotine pouches and similar products.

The move comes days before the launch of November's "No Tobacco Month," a campaign to encourage people to quit using nicotine products.

"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 are called pouches, but also similar products in the form of gum or beads." she declared in an interview with Le Parisien.

Genevieve Darrieussecq emphasizes that the marketing of pouches directly targets young people, and she expresses her desire to protect this population: "The marketing of these products is directly targeted at young people and I hope we can protect our youth.".

“Vomiting, convulsions, hypotension, even impaired consciousness”

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The minister also said that a ban text will be published in the coming weeks. The tobacco-free nicotine pouches, made of polymer fibers impregnated with nicotine and flavors, are placed under the lip, where the nicotine is absorbed orally.

According to the minister, poison control centres are receiving more and more calls regarding severe poisoning among adolescents caused by these products. "They result in vomiting, convulsions, hypotension and even impaired consciousness.", she explains.

These bags therefore represent a significant risk due to their high nicotine concentration, according to her, hence the need for this ban.

The upcoming ban on “puffs”

Anses (National Agency for Food, Agriculture and Rural Development) had already issued a warning in November 2023 on pouches and other flavoured products, highlighting the increase in cases of poisoning among young people.

Last May, the National Committee against Smoking (CNCT) also filed a complaint for "trafficking in poisonous substances" due to the illegal sale of these bags, calling for their ban. Finally, Ms. Darrieussecq mentions the upcoming ban on "puffs", these disposable electronic cigarettes also popular with young people, with a target of withdrawal from the market before the end of the year.