"Just days after receiving the green light from Brussels and pressure from civil society, France officially banned nicotine pouches on 6 September, with the prohibition to take effect from March 2026. Given nicotine's toxicity and highly-addictive nature for young people, leading anti-tobacco associations like France's Alliance Against Tobacco (L'Alliance contre le tabac) have celebrated this bold move as an important "victory" for public health."
"Framed by French Health Minister, Catherine Vautrin, as part of Paris's wider combat against the "risks associated with addiction" and the rising incidence of youth nicotine poisonings, the pouch ban adds to a string of recent tobacco-related measures positioning France as a leader in this space, including bans on disposable e-cigarette sales and smoking in certain public spaces. Big Tobacco has responded with predictable outrage, echoing the tobacco control opposition increasingly expressed by the EU's industry-aligned member-states."
"Indeed, the tobacco industry has spent decades blocking meaningful EU reform, contributing to Europe's persistently-high smoking levels and rising illicit tobacco trade. As the EU gears up to free its tobacco control regime of Big Tobacco influence, France's emerging leadership could not be more critical. France at heart of European fight In Europe's anti-tobacco crusade, France has become a key battleground."
France has enacted a ban on nicotine pouches effective March 2026, citing nicotine's toxicity and the risk of addiction among young people. Anti-tobacco groups welcomed the ban as a public health victory. Health Minister Catherine Vautrin tied the measure to efforts against addiction and rising youth poisonings. The pouch ban complements recent steps such as bans on disposable e-cigarette sales and restrictions on smoking in some public spaces. The tobacco industry has attacked the move while historically obstructing EU reforms, contributing to high smoking rates and illicit trade. France's stance positions it centrally in a broader European tobacco-control push.
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