On Wednesday, December 13, the European Parliament will vote on the report on non-communicable diseases prepared by the Committee on Public Health. We at Pouch Patrol encourage all Members of the European Parliament who care about reducing smoking-related mortality to vote in favor. Support for science-based harm reduction gains ground Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for […]

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.

Unintended consequences have become apparent with the introduction of flavor restrictions on e-cigarettes. Despite initial intentions to reduce tobacco smoking, the consumption of traditional cigarettes has increased. This underscores the need for well-informed and evidence-based tobacco regulation with risk reduction as a central part of the strategy.

Leading up to the WHO’s session on tobacco control (COP-10), concerning news has emerged that the European Commission has proposed excluding member states and the European Parliament from the negotiations. The proposal allows the Commission to alter the EU’s position, a move without precedent, according to Swedish Member of the European Parliament, Sara Skyttedal.

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.

According to an article on the Norwegian news outlet Nettavisen, the Norwegian public health authority has failed in its demands for independence in its research. They have attempted to establish a link between snus and cancer, something that is now criticized by researchers for being a biased and ethically questionable approach to research.

A Swedish Member of the European Parliament reports on misconduct from the European Commission’s bureaucrats, a recurring issue that threatens the future of nicotine pouches.

Ahead of the tenth session of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COP10), the participating parties will decide on the future direction of tobacco policy – and it doesn’t look promising for nicotine pouches and smoking alternatives.

Several members of the European Parliament have proposed amendments to a draft report on non-communicable diseases. The amendments primarily focus on urging the European Commission to expedite and prevent any delays in the ongoing review of the tobacco legislative framwork, to include the objective of the European Beating Cancer Plan, and to follow up on […]

The Finnish government has decided to regulate nicotine pouches under the tobacco law, which could mean that nicotine pouches will be subject to the same price and flavour restrictions as cigarettes.