Tobacco Industry Pushes for Legalization of Nicotine Pouches in Germany
The German tobacco industry is urging the government to legalize the sale of nicotine pouches, marketed as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes.
Industry Claims
"In many other EU countries, they are legal to buy, but Germany does not allow it," said Torsten Albig, Managing Director of External Affairs at Philip Morris Germany. "This means the government is foregoing tax revenue and control over the products."
Albig hopes the new government will legalize the sale of "pouches" in stores. "They can help adult smokers kick the habit."
Health Concerns
However, health researchers and politicians warn of the dangers of pouches, especially for young people.
The small pouches are placed under the upper lip, allowing the body to absorb nicotine. They contain no tobacco but do have flavors like menthol, cinnamon, or fruit.
The US FDA recently approved the marketing of certain nicotine pouch products in the United States, a move that manufacturers see as a boost.
Tobacco Industry’s Strategy
The tobacco industry is undergoing a transformation, with major companies gradually moving away from cigarettes and investing billions in smoke-free products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco devices, and nicotine pouches.
Sales of nicotine pouches are soaring: Philip Morris sold 644 million cans in 2024, a 53% increase from 2023.
Legal Anomaly in Germany
Currently, pouches are not classified as tobacco products but as food, which cannot contain nicotine. Therefore, they cannot be sold in stores, but can be ordered online (e.g., from Sweden).
"This is absurd: A German retailer cannot sell it, but the consumer is allowed to have it shipped to them from another EU country," says lobbyist Albig. "In addition, many kiosks offer black market products. There are serious distortions in the market, and the government is doing nothing to stop it."
Government Response
Albig acknowledges the risks associated with the products. "Nicotine is addictive. But if you smoke, then this is a very suitable alternative to avoid the harms of smoking." He emphasizes that the companies are primarily targeting adult smokers.
Germany’s federal nutrition ministry refers to the EU for a solution. "A uniform EU approach and regulation is urgently needed," says a ministry spokesperson.
Industry Support
Other tobacco companies share the push for nicotine pouch legalization. Japan Tobacco International (JTI) reports strong growth for its Nordic Spirit brand in markets like the UK, Sweden, and Switzerland.
British American Tobacco (BAT) sells its Velo brand in countries like Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and Poland. It reports a recent 50% increase in sales volume.
Opposition
Critics argue that the industry’s portrayal of nicotine pouches as a risk-reducing alternative to smoking is hypocritical.
"The tobacco industry supposedly wants to solve a problem that it has created and perpetuates with the sale of cigarettes, which leads to tens of thousands of cancer deaths per year," says Katrin Schaller of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).
Schaller warns that nicotine pouches, unlike approved smoking cessation products, are not designed for quitting smoking and can lead to nicotine dependence, especially among young people.
Long-term studies on the harms of nicotine pouches are lacking. "Nicotine is a neurotoxin that can cause nausea, vomiting, and in higher doses, convulsions and respiratory distress," says Schaller. "It is also suspected of promoting tumor growth."
Political Opposition
Green Party MP Linda Heitmann cautions against underestimating the risks of nicotine pouches. "Nicotine is highly addictive, especially when started young," she says.
CDU MP Tino Sorge emphasizes the dangers of any addictive substance, especially for youth and pregnant women. "It would be wrong to make them more easily accessible in Germany," he says.
Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert (SPD) also opposes legalization: "I see a great risk that these products would make thousands of young people nicotine-dependent within a very short time."
