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Tag: nicotine pouch

  • 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.

  • Luxembourg Tightens Rules on Tobacco Products, Pulls Pouches In

    Luxembourg Tightens Rules on Tobacco Products, Pulls Pouches In

    Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies adopted Bill No. 8333 on tobacco control yesterday (October 31), introducing stricter regulations for both traditional and emerging nicotine products. While the law transposes EU Directive 2022/2100, its most notable feature is the formal inclusion of nicotine pouches under tobacco-style rules, a category previously unregulated. Health authorities have welcomed the measure, whereas business groups have expressed concerns over potential economic impacts.

    Under the new law, nicotine pouches are now subject to advertising bans, sales restrictions to minors, labelling and notification requirements, and a strict nicotine cap of 0.048 mg per pouch or per gram. Additives such as caffeine and CBD are also prohibited. The use of these products will be restricted in public spaces, particularly in areas frequented by young people. These measures aim to curb access and prevent the perception of nicotine pouches as harmless alternatives.

    The new bill also “bans flavorings for heated tobacco products and requires health warnings on their packaging. It also sets out the rules for the labelling, presentation, and marketing of these products, including electronic cigarettes and nicotine-free liquids. Vending machines will now have to display health warnings and will no longer be allowed to display promotional graphics. Cigarette packs may only be sold in multiples of five, a measure aimed at limiting fragmented sales and making consumption less accessible to younger people,” according to Delano.

    Public health organizations hailed the legislation as a necessary step to protect youth and curb addiction; however, the Chamber of Commerce criticized the rules as overly restrictive, warning that the low nicotine limit could function as a de facto ban, potentially fostering black market sales and cross-border purchases. The law will take effect on the first day of the month following its publication in the Journal Officiel, with vending machine display requirements delayed by three months.

  • Altria Reports Q3 Results, Narrows 2025 Guidance

    Altria Reports Q3 Results, Narrows 2025 Guidance

    Altria Group, Inc. reported third-quarter 2025 net revenues of $6.1 billion, down 3% year-on-year, while adjusted diluted EPS rose 3.6% to $1.45. The company reaffirmed its resilience in core tobacco and smoke-free products and announced an expansion of its share repurchase program from $1 billion to $2 billion, set to run through 2026.

    CEO Billy Gifford highlighted “exciting progress” across Altria’s portfolio, including the U.S. launch of on! PLUS nicotine pouches, regulatory submissions for Ploom heated tobacco, and a strategic collaboration with KT&G to pursue international and non-nicotine growth opportunities. The company also marked its 60th dividend increase in 56 years, underscoring its continued focus on shareholder returns.

    Altria narrowed its full-year 2025 adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $5.37–$5.45, representing 3.5%–5.0% growth from 2024. Management said it expects performance to moderate in Q4 as it laps prior share reductions and continues to invest in its smoke-free strategy amid a dynamic regulatory environment.

  • Swedish Innovator Eyes U.S. Launch with Fast-Acting Nicotine Pouch

    Swedish Innovator Eyes U.S. Launch with Fast-Acting Nicotine Pouch

    As nicotine pouch use soars in the United States, Swedish biotech firm Emplicure AB announced plans to seek U.S. regulatory approval for its patented nicotine delivery system, Seratek. Designed to deliver nicotine more rapidly at lower strengths, the company says the technology could mark a new chapter in smokeless alternatives for adult nicotine users.

    According to a 2025 pharmacokinetic study, Seratek released 80% of its nicotine within five minutes under controlled conditions, outperforming existing pouch brands even at lower strengths. In a consumer taste test in Sweden, 123 adult pouch users preferred Seratek over international leaders for flavor, comfort, and discretion. Emplicure says it will file a Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA) to authorize sales in the U.S.

    Emplicure CEO Mattias Josander, a former executive at Swedish Match, Red Bull, and L’Oréal, said the company’s goal is to “accelerate the transition to a smokeless world.” He added, “If vaccines were the breakthrough of the 20th century, nicotine pouches could represent the public-health breakthrough of the 21st.”

  • Haypp Survey Tracks UK Nicotine Pouch Explosion

    Haypp Survey Tracks UK Nicotine Pouch Explosion

    According to research by Haypp, the UK nicotine pouch market grew 95% between 2023 and 2024, spurred by the recent ban on disposable vapes. The perceived social acceptability of pouches compared to other products also appears to be a factor driving the market growth, as 78% of nicotine pouch users surveyed believed that nicotine pouches were socially acceptable, compared to 30% who felt vapes were socially acceptable, and 13% who believed cigarettes were socially acceptable. 

    According to survey respondents, the main advantages of pouches compared to other nicotine products are that they are discreet (68%), they feel healthier (64%), and they do not affect others (54%). 

    Based on survey responses, the typical first-time user of nicotine pouches is 33 years old. Only 3% of those surveyed report having started using nicotine pouches before the age of 18. The research also found 57% of UK nicotine pouch users say they began using pouches as a way to quit smoking and 27% to transition from other nicotine products, primarily vapes.

    “These results suggest that while the nicotine pouch market is growing rapidly, users are typically a more mature demographic that value the more discreet nature of the product,” Markus Lindblad, director of Haypp, said. “It is also notable that many people have started using pouches to transition away from vaping. This could become an important trend in the UK’s drive to go smoke-free while introducing ever stricter regulations on vaping.”

  • Industry-First ‘Assured Advice’ on Nicotine Pouch Packaging Published

    Arcus Compliance Limited, a leading UK regulatory consultancy, today (June 11) published the first ever Assured Advice on nicotine pouch packaging requirements in England — a major development for businesses operating in the evolving nicotine alternatives market.

    Authored by John Donoghue, commercial director at Arcus Compliance, with oversight from Jennifer Harker of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards, the guidance provides much-needed regulatory clarity for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of nicotine pouches.

    Assured Advice is available to businesses under Arcus Compliance’s coordinated Primary Authority Partnership (PAP) scheme, representing a critical step toward regulatory certainty in an increasingly scrutinized product category. The advice offers a comprehensive interpretation of: General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR); Great Britain Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) legislation; and PAS 8877:2022 — the British Standards Institution’s guidance for oral nicotine products.

    “This document will become the de facto standard for packaging compliance across the UK,” said Shem Baldeosingh, director at the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN). “GINN members will directly benefit from this excellent resource and leadership.”

    Click here to request a copy of Assured Advice.