Regulations for nicotine pouches

Tobacco companies have proposed to include nicotine pouches in the technical regulations for nicotine-containing products that are currently being developed. The new product category, according to producers from this sector, should be limited by legal provisions.

Technical regulations for nicotine-containing products

Legal provisions concerning this type of products were included in the technical regulations of the Customs Union TR CU 035/2014 "On tobacco products".

This document specifies the mandatory requirements for the use and production of tobacco products in the customs territory of the Customs Union, as well as the requirements for labeling and information placed on the packaging of tobacco products.

Nicotine pouches prohibited in Russia

So-called nicotine pouches are sachets with nicotine extract intended for oral use. They are placed under the upper lip in order to gradually release the nicotine contained in them. This product has gained great popularity in the Russian Federation and other countries as well. 

In 2020, in Russia, nicotine pouches were banned because mass marketing of pouches with a dangerously high nicotine content was revealed. Moreover, since the product was not officially legalized and therefore could not be banned from sale to minors, many children used it, thus becoming addicted to nicotine.

New provisions regarding nicotine pouches

Therefore, producers from this sector propose to include nicotine pouches in the provisions of the technical regulation TR CU 035/2014. At the same time, they postulate the following legal restrictions:

  • setting a requirement for a maximum nicotine content of 20 mg

  • introducing an excise tax that will apply to nicotine pouches

  • banning the advertising of this type of product

  • banning the sale of packaging for nicotine pouches to minors