Action & Initiative

Led by Denmark, several EU health ministers are now trying to push through a position paper to speed up proposals for nicotine regulation, flavour bans and even bans on certain nicotine products. Proposals that lack sufficient evidence and therefore risk having far-reaching consequences for public health. “The ministers are trying to get around the European […]

We need you to take action! Reach out to your national COP 10 representatives to support proposals that will quickly reduce smoking rates. Write to the representatives about how you quit smoking through harm reduced nicotine products and how important it is for your health! In the highest-impact academic journal The Lancet, Emeritus Professor Robert […]

On Wednesday, an incredibly strong statement came from the Swedish government in response to the Chairman of the Committee on Industry and Trade in the Swedish Parliament regarding nicotine pouches. More and more people have begun to celebrate the Swedish success in soon becoming smoke-free. There are several reasons for this success, and much is […]

Pouch patrol have previously reported on the concerning attempts by the EU Commission to push its own agenda ahead of COP10, putting democratic principles at risk. These actions undermine the fundamental principle that EU decisions should be made with respect for the rights of member states and the democratic representation of citizens. This is turn poses a threat toward alternative nicotine products, and in turn the public health of Europe.

It is important that the EU-commission addresses all aspects of the nicotine harm-reducing alternatives in the upcoming legislative proposition on tobacco control. The European Commission’s Inter-Service Group (ISG) has been established, and a first draft of the upcoming tobacco control framework will soon be completed.

The Netherlands is considering a total ban on nicotine pouches, something that disappoints consumers who have found a viable substitute for the more harmful act of smoking.

Swedish nicotine pouch users are raising their voice against higher taxes and flavour bans from EU through a petition. – All EU citizens that wants nicotine pouches to remain an attractive, significantly less harmful, alternative to cigarettes should engage, says petition starter Markus Lindblad from Haypp Group.

The European Commission is currently holding the second public consultation on the revision of the tobacco control legislation. Unfortunately, the questions and reply options are strongly biased towards prohibiting reduced-risk products.

The Dutch government is proposing a ban on the sale of nicotine pouches. While nicotine pouches should be regulated, a complete ban is misguided and could cause harm since it would remove a risk-reduced nicotine alternative from the market.

Last month Pouch Patrol reported that the European Commission had opened a “Call for Evidence” which would inform the future regulation of nicotine products. The consultation received a record number of almost 25,000 contributions from organisations and experts, but mostly: EU citizens.