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Tag: nicotine pouch

  • Public Health Groups Sueing FDA Over New Vape, Pouch Stance

    Public Health Groups Sueing FDA Over New Vape, Pouch Stance

    A coalition of public health organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, and American Lung Association, filed a federal lawsuit yesterday (July 14) challenging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s May 2026 enforcement guidance for e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The plaintiffs argue the policy unlawfully allows unauthorized products to remain on the market without the premarket scientific review required under the Tobacco Control Act, creating an enforcement safe-harbor for products that FDA has previously identified as posing significant youth appeal.

    Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the lawsuit seeks to overturn the guidance, alleging it violates both the Tobacco Control Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, and could have significant implications for manufacturers and retailers by determining whether products with pending marketing applications can continue to be sold while awaiting FDA review.

  • Women Fueling UK Pouch Market Growth

    Women Fueling UK Pouch Market Growth

    A new Nicotine Pouch Report from Haypp indicates that women are becoming a major driver of growth in the UK nicotine pouch market. According to the report, the number of female customers on Haypp.com and Northerner.com more than tripled during 2025, with nicotine pouch sales to women increasing 202% compared with a 25% increase among men. Women now account for 40% of nicotine pouch sales on Haypp Group platforms, up from 22% previously, reflecting a shift toward broader adoption similar to trends seen in Sweden.

    The report found that discretion is the leading reason women choose nicotine pouches, while flavor ranks as their top purchasing factor, compared with price for men. Among female pouch users, 55% said they had quit smoking after switching to nicotine pouches, and 75% reported encouraging others to move away from cigarettes, suggesting growing consumer acceptance as the category expands.

  • Imperial Expands U.S. Portfolio with Black Buffalo Acquisition

    Imperial Expands U.S. Portfolio with Black Buffalo Acquisition

    Imperial Brands announced it has acquired Black Buffalo in a deal valued at $150 million upfront, with additional performance-based payments over the next three years, as the company looks to expand its position in the fast-growing U.S. oral nicotine category. The acquisition gives Imperial and its U.S. subsidiary ITG Brands a stronger foothold beyond traditional nicotine pouches through Black Buffalo’s tobacco-free long cut and pouch products designed to replicate the experience of moist smokeless tobacco.

    Founded in 2015 and manufactured in North Carolina using U.S.-grown leafy greens, Black Buffalo has built a growing presence in the U.S. modern oral segment that has generated roughly $6.6 billion in sales over the past year and continues to grow at double-digit rates. While Imperial’s existing Zone pouch brand recently reached about 2.8% national market share across more than 109,000 U.S. stores, the company said Black Buffalo’s differentiated positioning complements its existing oral portfolio and strengthens its long-term next-generation products strategy as cigarette volumes continue to decline globally.

  • ALP Taps Conor McGregor as Pouch Brand Partner

    ALP Taps Conor McGregor as Pouch Brand Partner

    ALP Supply Co. announced a partnership with Conor McGregor as the company accelerates its expansion across international markets and broader consumer marketing channels. ALP, founded less than two years ago, said the collaboration will support its nicotine pouch brand growth ahead of planned launches in the European Union and South America later this year.

    The agreement includes a multi-channel marketing campaign spanning broadcast, digital, social, and experiential activations, timed around major combat sports events, including International Fight Week in July, where speculation continues around McGregor’s potential return to competition. ALP executives said the partnership aligns with the company’s strategy of building visibility through sports and culture-focused marketing as competition intensifies in the rapidly growing nicotine pouch category.

    The company said it plans to continue expanding retail and digital distribution as demand for oral nicotine products grows globally.

  • Ispire Partners to Expand into Nicotine Pouch Market

    Ispire Partners to Expand into Nicotine Pouch Market

    Ispire Technology announced that it entered into a joint venture with Shandong Jincheng Pharmaceutical Group to manufacture and commercialize nicotine pouch products, marking its expansion into the oral nicotine segment. The partnership combines Jincheng Pharma’s manufacturing capabilities and pharmaceutical expertise with Ispire’s regulatory infrastructure and global distribution network, enabling rapid entry into a category projected to grow significantly in the coming years.

    The move diversifies Ispire’s portfolio beyond vaping hardware and positions the company to tap into a fast-growing market estimated at $7 billion in 2025. The company said the joint venture will support near-term production and commercialization, while forming part of a broader strategy to build a multi-category nicotine platform focused on reduced-risk products.

  • Sweden Fights Against France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban

    Sweden Fights Against France’s Nicotine Pouch Ban

    Sweden has strongly opposed France’s ban on oral nicotine pouches, with Trade Minister Benjamin Dousa arguing the move violates EU single market rules and unfairly targets a key Swedish industry. According to Economie Matin, the Swedish Social Democratic Party sent a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, “to obtain clarifications on the legality of the French ban and its scientific basis. If there is no response within three weeks, legal action before the Court of Justice of the European Union could be initiated.”

    Stockholm is defending the products as a harm-reduction alternative to cigarettes, highlighting their widespread domestic use and economic importance, while criticizing the inconsistency of banning pouches but allowing combustible tobacco. The dispute has escalated politically, with Swedish lawmakers seeking EU intervention and warning of potential legal action, underscoring growing divisions in Europe over nicotine regulation and the balance between public health and market freedoms.

  • KT&G Preparing Pilot Line for Oral Nicotine Product

    KT&G Preparing Pilot Line for Oral Nicotine Product

    KT&G is developing a smokeless nicotine product designed for oral absorption and is preparing a pilot production line for research and development in South Korea, according to local media outlet The Elec. The pilot equipment will be supplied by PNT, a manufacturer known for roll-to-roll battery and display production systems. KT&G said the project is in an early stage and that plans for domestic or international commercialization of nicotine pouches or related products have not been finalized.

    The move aligns with growing global competition in nicotine pouches, led by brands such as Zyn and VELO. KT&G last year participated with Altria in the acquisition of Scandinavian pouch companies ASF AB and ASF AS. In South Korea, however, nicotine pouches currently lack formal sales authorization under the Tobacco Business Act, and products are primarily obtained through overseas purchases or unofficial channels, meaning any domestic launch would be dependent on regulatory changes.

  • Pouch Maker to Refile FDA Lawsuit in D.C.

    Pouch Maker to Refile FDA Lawsuit in D.C.

    Fontem US, the maker of Zone nicotine pouches, has dropped its lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after a Texas federal court transferred the case to South Carolina, saying it plans to refile in Washington, D.C. The company had alleged the FDA was unfairly delaying review of its premarket tobacco product application, which is required to market new nicotine products in the U.S.

    U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman in Texas said Fontem had little connection to the state and its congested Northern District, and sent the case to South Carolina, where Fontem is based. By voluntarily dismissing the case, the company is seeking a more favorable venue in D.C. federal court, where many regulatory disputes involving federal agencies are typically heard. Zone is manufactured by TJP Labs in Canada, and marketed by ITG Brands, a subsidiary of Imperial Brands.

  • JT Offering Nordic Spirit in Japan

    JT Offering Nordic Spirit in Japan

    Japan Tobacco Group officially introduced Nordic Spirit, its oral nicotine pouch brand, to the Japanese market starting today (March 3). Cola Fizz will be available for pre-sale online, with a nationwide rollout on April 6, while Berry Mix is slated for online release in mid-March. Each can contains 14 pouches priced at 500 yen ($3.15).

     JTG emphasizes that while the product is generally considered lower risk than cigarettes, it is addictive and not for minors, and the company is committed to expanding the oral nicotine category globally to provide adult consumers with more choice.

    Source: Japan Tobacco Inc.

  • JTI Refreshes Nordic Spirit Look

    JTI Refreshes Nordic Spirit Look

    Today (March 3), JTI UK unveiled a refreshed brand identity for its Nordic Spirit nicotine pouches, introducing “striking new packaging” designed to enhance shelf visibility and provide clearer guidance for adult nicotine users. Inspired by the “North Star,” the updated packs — now live across JTI360 and rolling out in stores — feature Dry or Moist indicators for slower or faster nicotine release, alongside a six-dot strength system ranging from 6mg to 17mg. Each can contains 20 pouches and includes a compartment for used pouches, with recyclable polypropylene packaging.

    The refresh follows the launch of Nordic Spirit Frosty Mint Max and comes as the UK nicotine pouch category grows to £15.9 million per month. Brand Lead Manager James Richards said the redesign aims to improve shelf standout and help retailers better guide customers, while maintaining the same product quality and flavor range. The brand’s Moist Range was also named Product of the Year 2026 in the Nicotine Pouch category, marking its third major award in five years and reinforcing its position in the expanding UK market.