Since there is no common European legislation for nicotine pouches, maintaining the possibility for nicotine consumers to use this low-risk alternative is presently dependent on national legislation and rules for tobacco control. In many member states, nicotine pouches are not regulated at all and, in some countries, they are outright banned for often vague reasons.
The knowledge about nicotine pouches and the relative risk compared to other nicotine products is very low in countries where the use of oral nicotine is less common, and the examples used in media, even in well-reputed and credible publications, are often focused on the most extreme products that in no way is representable for the market. Surveys also show that, for example, most MEP:s, by their own account, barely know the product, which causes concern about if the pouches will be regulated in a way that is purposeful, proportional, and based on the product’s own merits.
This issue is widely known among harm reduction advocates and has led to the start of several different initiatives, including pouchforum.eu. One of the most recent initiatives is French Nicotine World, founded by Norbert Neuvy and Jean-François Douenne, both entrepreneurs with a long experience with no tobacco products. After their marketing in France in 2018, Neuvy noticed a lack of information and transparency, as well as a lot of confusion around tobacco, nicotine, and nicotine pouches, and decided that there was a need for a platform providing comprehensive information about nicotine and nicotine pouches in French.
After much work gathering information and content editing, Nicotine World launched its webpage in May with the aim to contribute to empowering adult consumers, journalists, and policymakers to make informed decisions. The organization’s primary goal is to inform adult smokers that tobacco-free nicotine products, particularly pouches, can help them quit smoking .
Pouchforum.eu welcomes the initiative and decided to make contact with our like-minded counterparts in France. Neuvy tells us, “The key is providing information and data! We truly believe that people will make the right decision when they are rightly informed. That’s why we will feed our platform and social media with product knowledge, user guidelines, and scientific data.” and explains that by highlighting the significantly lower risk associated with pouches, they aim to change perceptions and foster a better understanding of their benefits and responsible use by actively addresses concerns and criticisms surrounding the use of nicotine pouches.
Drawing inspiration from Sweden’s successful approach, where oral nicotine products have contributed to lowering the number of diseases and deaths associated with smoking, the organization emphasizes the positive impact of these products. Through engagement with policymakers and the general public, Nicotine World advocates for appropriate regulations that prioritize public health and harm reduction, as well as improving the market for consumers by setting up rules for products that should not be considered compliant.
Nicotine World’s goal is to become a trusted resource for French smokers seeking to quit, expanding its content with scientific endorsements and consumer testimonials. With a vision of a tobacco-free world, the organization urges policymakers to follow Sweden’s successful example and embrace nicotine pouches as a life-saving solution.
Neuvy ends our interaction by saying, “Too many smokers die every year because they are not well informed of the benefits of using these alternative nicotine products. Nicotine pouches is a real solution for a tobacco-free world. French administration must follow the example of Sweden which has defeated cancer by promoting this product.”
Pouchforum wishes nicotineworld.fr the best of luck on their set out path and recommends all French speaking smokers to pay them a visit.