After e-cigarettes and vaping liquids, it's the turn of flavored and sweetened nicotine sachets. The tobacco industry's latest business raises concerns about the risk of inducing addiction among the very young. And a test by the French consumer monthly 60 Millions de consommateurs reveals its contamination with toxic substances.
The nicotine pouches They are small disposable cellulose packages containing nicotine salts, flavorings, sweeteners and other substances. They are consumed by placing them between the upper lip and the gum to assimilate the dose of nicotine contained in about 30 minutes.
The news studied by the tobacco industry – the French Nicoswitch, Velo by British American Tobacco, Zyn by Philip Morris International and Estonian Nois, for now – boasts the usefulness of a nicotine administration without emissions, usable even in places where smoking is banned.
It is offered to smokers as a useful tool in the weaning process, but it has the right appeal to seduce teenagers: sweet taste in different flavors, small round package, 'clean' nicotine consumption, without emissions or unpleasant odors, easy to take anywhere, even at school during lessons.
Price and quantity nicotine sachets per pack are similar to those in a pack of 'combustion' cigarettes. The nicotine dose and taste are variable. They are sold in tobacconists or online.
The absence of tobacco and derivatives is the wild card of nicotine pouches. These products are in fact excluded from the scope of the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Commission on tobacco products. The law, it should be remembered, has banned snus, moist tobacco for oral consumption, in the EU, with the exception of Sweden, which requested and obtained the exemption. But it has made no provision for nicotine pouches, with nicotine but without tobacco.
The formula sweetened and flavored in these nicotine dispensers raises concerns about the risk of diffusion and abuse among minors and for the harmful effects on adults as well.
The tobacco industry tries to avoid its responsibilities for any poisoning and adverse reactions by reporting such risks in the warnings on the packaging through
– the generic alert, 'Nicotine is highly addictive. Not recommended for non-smokers'
– other information, obviously written in microscopic characters on the back of the package. Philip Morris International on its Zyn, for example, reports the dangers for those suffering from diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, epilepsy, convulsions. In addition to the risks of irritation and allergy, up to breathing difficulties.
In addition to nicotine, nicotine pouches contain other substances intended to be assimilated through the oral mucosa and saliva.
The Zyn Cool Mint by Philip Morris International, according to the FAQ area of the company website, contain cellulose derived from bamboo, water and flavourings. From what can be seen in the images of the boxes, however, the presence of acesulfame K (E 950) is also detected, an artificial sweetener that WHO (World Health Organization) advises against – like other synthetic sweeteners – because it exposes to diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality. (1)
Sweetener E 950, whose sweetening power is about 200 times higher than that of sucrose, is an ingredient always present in nicotine sachets. We also find it in the French Dlice by Kapz 'ice mint' flavour, where other problematic substances appear, such as
– maltitol (E 965) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (E 463), both responsible for intestinal problems such as bloating and diarrhoea;
– colourings such as tartrazine (E 102), which can cause allergic reactions and when present in foods requires a warning on the label.Can adversely affect kids' activity and attention, and Brilliant Blue FCF (E 133), which a 2015 study associates with a possible cytotoxic and genotoxic effect on human lymphocytes; (2)
– MCT oil (Medium Chain Triglycerides), fats obtained from the processing of oils (coconut or palm);
– animal gelatine (from pig and cattle skin, as is certain unless otherwise specified); (3)
– aromas, synthetic molecules to create the vast tastes.
Other substances are present as contaminants. A comparative test by the French consumer magazine '60 Millions de Consommateurs' on seven nicotine pouches reveals that
– arsenic was found in all samples. In some, also lead, antimony, molybdenum and chromium;
– the nicotine levels are different from those declared. In several products the actual content is up to a quarter lower than what is stated on the packaging. This reveals a lack of control by manufacturers and poses problems in the case of a path to smoking cessation (the official purpose of nicotine pouches).
Too many risks and unproven benefits for weaning. For this reason, the demand for a total ban on nicotine sachets is growing.
'Belgium and Netherlands have already banned these sachets. The CNCT (Comité national de lutte contre le tabagisme, ed.) is asking France to ban them as well, as is the Alliance against tobacco. The National Consumer Institute (INC, publisher of 60 Millions) also believes that this is the most effective way to quickly protect young consumers and non-smokers. A European decision is awaited', reports 60 Millions de Consommateurs. (4)
In Italy, where 4% of adolescents have already started using them, nicotine pouches were first withdrawn from the market following the alarm of health institutions, then readmitted in law 15/2022, under pressure from industry lobbies. (5)
The Mario Negri Institute and SITAB (Italian Society of Tobacco) report that the diffusion of these products 'would lead to an uncontrollable increase in nicotine intake and therefore addiction'. In July 2023 they promoted a motion to ban them. To date it has gone unheard.
Meanwhile, messages of uncertain authorship on social networks are falsely misleading young people about the absence of health risks in tobacco-free nicotine.
Marta Strinati
(1) Marta Strinati. 'Sugar free'? Synthetic sweeteners are useless and harmful, WHO warns. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade).
(2) Marta Strinati. Toxicity of synthetic food colors, scientific review. FT (Food Times). 31.8.24
(3) Goleador, is gummy candy suitable for vegetarians and vegans? The lawyer Dario Dongo answers. DO (Food Agriculture and Requirements). 5.6.17
(4) Adélaïde Robert. Nicotine sachet test: products to ban. 60 Millions de Consumers. 10.12.24. https://www.60millions-mag.com/2024/12/10/test-de-sachets-de-nicotine-des-produits-bannir-23812
(5) Tobacco Endgame. Nicotine pouches spread among Italian students. 2.11.24. https://www.marionegri.it/magazine/sali-di-nicotina
(6) Nicotine salt sachets: motion by the Mario Negri Institute and Sitab against their marketing in Italy. Mario Negri Pharmacological Research Institute – IRCCS. 17.7.23 https://www.marionegri.it/magazine/sali-di-nicotina