Stories

CAPHRA advocates for regulating oral nicotine products to safeguard youth, establish product standards, and maintain enforceable regulations. They recommend creating a separate legal category for nicotine pouches to enhance visibility and control, ensuring compliance through measures like strict age verification and limited marketing. CAPHRA emphasizes that regulation, not prohibition, is key for effective youth protection and control over product quality in South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. Regulatory frameworks enable authorities to monitor distribution, enforce standards, and deter violations effectively, promoting public health by offering lower-risk alternatives with stringent safeguards.

Public health authorities claim their policies are science-based, yet nicotine regulation is often driven more by symbolism than toxicology. Regulators allow long-term daily nicotine use in patches, gum, and lozenges, while framing nicotine as inherently dangerous when delivered through products like vapes or nicotine pouches. This contradiction is both obvious and difficult to justify. The belief that nicotine itself causes most smoking-related diseases is widespread, but incorrect. While nicotine can cause dependence, the real harms of smoking come from the toxic by-products of burning tobacco, such as tar, carbon monoxide, and fine particulates.

Vaping has shown promise as a smoking cessation aid, especially for individuals with socio-economic hardships. A clinical trial in Australia compared vaping with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation among low-SES individuals. Results showed participants using vaping devices were three times more likely to achieve continuous abstinence compared to NRT. Vaping was also associated with fewer adverse events. Challenges include long-term vaping risks and limited access to authorized vapes in pharmacies. While vaping can assist in quitting smoking, it is not a guaranteed solution, and relapses are common. Australia's strict regulations aim to tackle illicit vaping and smoking markets. Ongoing research and support are needed to maximize the potential of vaping as a smoking cessation tool.

In Part 2, Bengt Wiberg explains why EU nicotine policy should be science-based, not political. Drawing on Sweden’s success, he challenges cancer myths, youth claims, and makes the case for smart regulation to reduce smoking and save lives.

The chain-smoking protagonist of Mad Men should be far removed from the life of a modern young Australian — particularly when it comes to tobacco. Australia has been a global leader in anti-smoking policy. Cigarettes there are among the most expensive in the world and are sold in plain packaging plastered with graphic health warnings. Yet just as authorities believed they were winning the battle against smoking, experts say the country is facing a new tobacco crisis. While overall smoking rates continue to fall, research shows progress in reducing teen smoking has slowed — likely due to vaping, which researchers say can act as a gateway to cigarettes.

A draft report on the European Union cardiovascular diseases strategy has sparked a backlash, according to the World Vapers’ Alliance. Produced by Rapporteur Romana Jerković for the Committee on Public Health, it claims to emphasise “the importance of strong regulatory measures to reduce the affordability, appeal and harmfulness of tobacco and nicotine products, heated tobacco products, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, including through flavour bans, limits on nicotine”.

Germany plans a strict ban on menthol and other cooling additives in e-cigarettes to deter young users. The government cites health risks such as increased nicotine uptake. Critics argue about the lack of evidence on menthol's effects, as it is used in medicines. Manufacturers would need to adjust products or leave the market, facing compliance costs. Tighter rules on labeling and product testing are also included. The ban aims to be in effect within six months, aligning with EU discussions on similar bans. The impact of these measures on harm reduction versus limiting choices for smokers is uncertain.

2026 could be a turning point for nicotine policy in Africa. In this episode of GFN News, Joanna Junak speaks with Joseph Magero, consumer advocate and Chairman of the Campaign for Safer Alternatives, about the challenges and opportunities for harm reduction, the impact of restrictive policies, and how countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria are shaping the future of safer nicotine products.

Last November, I reported on the EU’s plan to force member states to levy punitive taxes on e-cigarette fluid and nicotine pouches. The European Commission launched a public consultation which received 18,480 responses, overwhelmingly from consumers who were against. Having lost the numbers game, anti-nicotine NGOs went running to Politico who published an article claiming that the consultation had been “swamped with pro-industry feedback”.

The UK convenience retail sector sees the tobacco, vape, and nicotine category driving footfall and profits, despite volatility due to shifting policies, consumer behaviors, and the growing illicit trade. While cigarette sales decline, nicotine demand remains strong, leading to opportunities with modern nicotine products like pouches and vape formats. The tobacco market remains stable, though price-driven, and premium segments like roll-your-own continue to lure loyal customers. Nicotine pouches are rapidly expanding, offering retailers operational benefits. Compliance, merchandising, and understanding consumer habits are crucial, especially as the category diversifies and regulations evolve.