Oral Tobacco: Health Hazards

(asked on 13th December 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made the long-term medical effects of using oral tobacco-free nicotine pouches.


Answered by
Lord Markham Portrait
Lord Markham
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
This question was answered on 21st December 2023

Oral tobacco, otherwise known as snus, is banned in the United Kingdom under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. Prevalence of oral tobacco-free nicotine pouches remains low, with data from Action on Smoking and Health in 2022 showing that 3.9% of adults had ever tried nicotine pouches.

There is limited research and evidence into the harms of nicotine pouches and their ability to support smoking quit attempts. However, we will continue to monitor the evidence. Whilst there is currently no age of sale restrictions on nicotine pouches, manufacturers do print age restrictions on their packs.

In October 2023, the Government and devolved administrations launched the smokefree generation and youth vaping consultation. This included consideration of whether consumer nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, should come under a similar regulatory framework as nicotine vapes. The consultation response will be published shortly.

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