Harm reduction

Nicotine pouches have recently come under scrutiny in public debate, often with a focus on their nicotine content. But as Nicoleaks rightly points out, it’s essential to distinguish between how much nicotine a product contains and how much is actually absorbed by the body. At Pouch Patrol, we share that view – and want to […]

The European Commission, Sweden and Greece have raised several objections to a draft bill proposed by Luxembourg that would require the strength of nicotine pouches to be so low, as to be a de facto ban on the products. Severely limiting nicotine content Sweden has objected, saying that setting a ceiling of 0.048 mg nicotine […]

The debate surrounding nicotine pouches in Germany has recently gained momentum as the tobacco industry pushes for their legalization. These tobacco-free but nicotine-containing pouches have been growing in popularity across Europe, particularly in Sweden, where they have become an established alternative to smoking. While proponents argue that they offer a less harmful alternative to traditional […]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the marketing of 20 ZYN nicotine pouches after a rigorous scientific review. These products meet the public health standard established by the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which evaluates overall risks and benefits. “This is a significant step for harm reduction and great […]

Spain has recently initiated a public consultation on a new Draft Royal Decree amending Royal Decree 579/2017, which introduces several concerning measures that could significantly hinder harm reduction efforts. The most contentious proposal for consumers is the inclusion of a flavour ban for vaping products and nicotine pouches. This move is part of a worrying […]

In September 2024, the Danish government published a proposal to limit the nicotine content of tobacco substitute products to 9 mg per pouch. The Tholos Foundation, in collaboration with international polling agency IPSOS, has released exclusive research exploring how Danish consumers might respond if the proposed nicotine limit for nicotine pouches were implemented. Consumers Use […]

As many as half a million vapers could relapse or return to smoking as a result of the UK government’s plan to ban disposable vapes.  This would effectively undo the last four years or more of success in smoking cessation services across England. More smoking, not less! The government’s own impact assessment has revealed that as […]

Every case of nicotine poisoning is a tragedy but how many daily severe poison cases does France have linked to alcohol? The ban on nicotine pouches In an interview with Le Parisien, Health Minister Darrieussecq stated that nicotine pouches target youth, but according to the latest Eurobarometer report, almost 75 per cent of people aged […]

France will ban nicotine pouches in the coming weeks, according to the country’s health minister Geneviève Darrieussecq. Darrieussecq told Le Parisien that the products are dangerous because they contain high doses of nicotine. On Wednesday, France’s health minister announced in Le Parisien that nicotine pouches will soon be banned in the country. The reason, according […]

From 1 June 2025, it will be illegal to sell disposable vapes in the UK, a decision welcomed by environmental experts. The ban aims to reduce the increasing amount of waste these products generate. The reason for the decision is that disposable vapes have become a symbol of the ‘throwaway’ culture, and their negative environmental […]