Lower house approves ban on sale of nicotine pouches to children

The lower house of Parliament has approved a ban on the sale of nicotine pouches to minors. The amendment would introduce the same regulation that already applies to tobacco products or electronic cigarettes. Violations of the ban would be subject to financial penalties. Producers should also change the design of the packaging to make the product less appealing to children. The draft law was presented by the Ministry of Health in response to the growing popularity of nicotine pouches among teenagers, despite warnings of the risk of nicotine addiction. The bill will now go to the Senate for approval and is expected to come into force in mid-2023.