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Tag: Nicotine Pouches

  • Report Examines Illicit Nicotine Pouch Markets

    Report Examines Illicit Nicotine Pouch Markets

    TobaccoIntelligence’s released its Global Illicit Nicotine Pouch Report 2026 today (October 26), determining that illicit nicotine pouch markets are prevalent in countries with strict regulations, including bans, nicotine-content limits, online sales restrictions, and high taxes.

    Among the findings, the report said Germany, which has a de facto ban on pouches, still has the ninth-largest market in the world, estimated at $195 million. France, despite its ban, is the No. 22 pouch market in the world at $34 million, with fewer than half of French consumers knowing the ban exists.

    “Illicit nicotine pouches are a by-product of rapid growth, fragmented regulation, and limited enforcement, and they affect consumers, governments, and compliant businesses alike,” said Tim Phillips, founder of TobaccoIntelligence. “This report is an attempt to define the nature and scale of the problem. Our role is to provide independent data and analysis, and we hope it supports a better-informed debate.”

  • JT to Expand Nordic Spirit Retail Availability in Japan

    JT to Expand Nordic Spirit Retail Availability in Japan

    Japan Tobacco (JT) said it will launch Nordic Spirit Rich Melon Medium nicotine pouches at select tobacco retailers in Japan on Nov. 2. The company will also expand retail availability of three varieties previously sold through its CLUB JT online shop: Cool Mint X-Strong, Sweet Mint Medium, and Sweet Mint Strong.

    Rich Melon Medium features a melon flavor and medium stimulation. Nordic Spirit pouches are manufactured in Sweden and are designed for oral use without combustion.

  • Social Media Leads Nicotine Pouch Discovery in UK, Haypp Finds

    Social Media Leads Nicotine Pouch Discovery in UK, Haypp Finds

    Social media is the leading source of new brand and product information for U.K. nicotine pouch consumers, with 66% of users discovering brands, products, and retailers through social platforms, according to research by online retailer Haypp. Search engines ranked second at 59%, followed by recommendations from friends and family at 44%. One-quarter of respondents said they discover new nicotine pouch brands through influencers.

    Haypp Head of External Affairs Marina Murphy said social media has become an important channel for product recommendations and discovery among pouch consumers. She noted that provisions of the U.K. Tobacco and Vapes Act addressing advertising are scheduled to take effect June 1, 2027, banning advertising of nicotine products, including paid online advertisements and sponsored social media posts. The research highlights the role of social media in nicotine pouch marketing and consumer information as the new restrictions approach.

  • China to End Export VAT Rebates for Vape Products

    China to End Export VAT Rebates for Vape Products

    China will end value-added tax (VAT) export rebates for specified electronic cigarette devices, nicotine, nicotine salts, and certain other inhalation products effective April 1, 2027, under a policy announced by the Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration. The measure affects designated product categories and customs codes.

    The change could increase export costs for Chinese manufacturers and suppliers serving international vaping and nicotine markets by eliminating rebates previously available on eligible exports. The impact will depend on the products covered, manufacturers’ cost structures, and their ability to adjust pricing or supply chains.

  • Portugal Moves to Regulate Nicotine Pouches

    Portugal Moves to Regulate Nicotine Pouches

    Portugal’s Parliament is set to debate tomorrow (Oct. 7) a bill authorizing the government to establish rules governing the manufacture, import, distribution, sale, labeling, advertising, taxation, and enforcement of nicotine pouches. The products are already sold and taxed in Portugal under a category created in the 2026 State Budget, but their regulatory status has prompted debate among health experts and other stakeholders. Pulmonologist Daniel Coutinho of the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology called for tighter restrictions, including on flavors and nicotine concentrations, while other health professionals cited in the consultation process said nicotine pouches could provide a lower-risk alternative to cigarettes and urged regulations that protect adult smokers while preventing youth access.

  • Austria’s Tobacco Industry Defends Vapes, Pouches

    Austria’s Tobacco Industry Defends Vapes, Pouches

    Austria’s tobacco industry is defending e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches as tools to move adult smokers away from combustible cigarettes as the country introduces new regulations for alternative nicotine products. Die Presse reports that Austria collected more than €2 billion in tobacco taxes in 2025, with more than 10 billion taxed cigarettes sold, while companies including Imperial Brands and Japan Tobacco are expanding their alternative-product portfolios. Imperial Brands Austria spokesperson Simone Pibernik said incentives, including flavor and pricing, are needed to encourage smokers to switch, while acknowledging the need for stronger youth protections.

    The industry’s comments come as nicotine pouches have been brought under Austria’s tobacco-monopoly system, with sales restricted to licensed tobacconists, while e-cigarettes are moving into a regulated distribution system. Imperial has said it supports age restrictions and responsible marketing, but argues that regulation should balance youth protection with access to potentially lower-risk alternatives for adult smokers.

  • Canada Health Minister Rejects Calls to Loosen Pouch Rules

    Canada Health Minister Rejects Calls to Loosen Pouch Rules

    Canadian Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel said she is not considering changes to Canada’s regulations governing nicotine pouches, which are regulated as smoking-cessation aids and restricted to adult sales through pharmacies. Zonnic, manufactured by Imperial Tobacco, is currently the only authorized nicotine pouch brand, with sales limited to 4 mg pouches and restricted flavors. Unsmoke Canada, part of Philip Morris International’s Rothmans, Benson & Hedges business, has campaigned for allowing pouches to be sold through retail stores, arguing that broader legal availability could address the illicit market.

    Michel acknowledged challenges with illicit sales, including online sales of products such as Zyn, while tobacco-control groups called for stronger enforcement rather than looser rules. The groups said nicotine pouch use among Canadian youth is increasing and warned that wider retail availability could increase youth access.

  • Relaunched NicoLeaks.com Expands Product Info, Test Results 

    Relaunched NicoLeaks.com Expands Product Info, Test Results 

    Haypp Group announced that it has relaunched NicoLeaks.com, a publicly available database of independent nicotine pouch testing results, marking the platform’s fifth anniversary. The redesigned site includes dedicated product pages, expanded product information, and tools to filter and compare laboratory results by nicotine content, pH, moisture levels, and market. Each entry identifies the source and date of analysis, while laboratory reports are available to view and download.

    Testing is conducted by Eurofins and covers compositional parameters including nicotine content, pH, moisture, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, and trace metals. Haypp said the testing evaluates product composition only and does not assess health effects. The relaunch coincides with the Tobacco Science Research Conference in Charlotte, N.C., where Haypp scientists are presenting findings from independent testing of more than 400 nicotine pouch products in 2025. The company said it plans to add scientific articles, presentations, and other educational resources to NicoLeaks in the coming months.

  • Article Examines Move Toward Higher-Strength Pouches

    Article Examines Move Toward Higher-Strength Pouches

    An article published today (Aug. 27) by Financial Times reports that major tobacco companies are accelerating their push into higher-strength nicotine pouches as competition intensifies in the U.S. market, valued at about $5.2 billion. Higher-strength products now account for 17% of U.S. pouch volumes, according to Stifel analyst Matt Smith, with Philip Morris International’s 11mg Zyn Ultra becoming the highest-strength nicotine pouch cleared by the FDA. BAT plans to launch Velo Max in 8mg and 12mg strengths, while Altria is preparing a national expansion of its 12mg On! Plus.

    Nearly 21 billion pouches were sold in the U.S. last year, according to Euromonitor, while smokeless nicotine product sales increased more than 8% in the first half of 2026 as cigarette sales declined 2.4%, according to NielsenIQ and Goldman Sachs. The companies are also expanding strength and format options as consumers develop preferences for stronger and higher-moisture products, with the FDA’s recent regulatory changes facilitating faster product introductions.

  • Marijuana Use Hits High, Cigarette Low: Gallup

    Marijuana Use Hits High, Cigarette Low: Gallup

    Seventeen percent of U.S. adults say they smoke marijuana, matching Gallup’s record high, while cigarette smoking remains at a record-low 11%. The July 1-19 Gallup Consumption Habits poll also found that 15% consume marijuana edibles, 9% vape, and 4% use nicotine pouches. This is the first time Gallup included nicotine pouch use in its survey.

    Marijuana use is highest among younger adults, with 23% of those ages 18 to 29 and 25% of those 30 to 49 reporting smoking marijuana. Cigarette smoking is highest among adults ages 30 to 49 at 16%, while vaping reaches 17% among 18- to 29-year-olds. Nicotine pouch use is highest among adults ages 30 to 49 at 7%.

    Coffee remains the most popular nonalcoholic beverage, with 49% of adults drinking it daily. Tea and caffeinated soda each are consumed daily by about 20%, while 9% drink energy drinks daily. Gallup also found that 5% of Americans identify as vegetarian and 2% as vegan.