Introduce restrictions on nicotine pouches: what nicotine dosage do they want to ban.

According to ТСН: A letter to the head of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on national health, medical care, and medical insurance emphasizes the importance of creating comprehensive regulation for nicotine pouches. In particular, it is proposed to ban the sale of products with a nicotine concentration above 16.6 mg, as well as to prohibit their marketing and promotion.

"The introduction of comprehensive regulation for nicotine pouches, primarily the ban on the sale of products with a concentration above 16.6 mg, their marketing and promotion – is an urgent initiative and we fully support it. We urge you to listen to the opinion of the professional medical community and adopt appropriate legislation to protect the health of Ukrainians," the letter states.

The document mentions that traditional ways of consuming tobacco, such as smoking cigarettes and hookahs, are gradually being replaced by new products, such as electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The latter are the only nicotine products not subject to state control, despite the increase in their consumption.

According to doctors, nicotine pouches with any level of nicotine are currently sold freely in Ukraine, even with dosages of 160-170 mg per pouch, which significantly exceeds the nicotine content in cigarettes and can lead to serious poisoning.

"Since at high levels nicotine is toxic and can lead to poisoning, we urge the ban of nicotine pouches with a nicotine content above 16.6 mg and additives that contain or form substances with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxic properties in Ukraine," the letter states.

Scientific studies prove that this nicotine dosage in a pouch ensures a nicotine concentration in the blood comparable to that which occurs after smoking a cigarette. The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of limiting nicotine concentration and banning carcinogenic additives.

Six bills regarding the regulation of the circulation of nicotine pouches have already been registered in parliament. During the discussion, deputies expressed the opinion that a complete ban could lead to market shadowing and a decrease in budget revenues from excise taxes. Instead, state regulation could help control nicotine content and prevent sales to minors.

These initiatives are part of a broader campaign aimed at protecting public health, as concerns about the impact of new forms of nicotine consumption on youth and the overall health of the population are rapidly growing. It is extremely important to monitor the further steps of the Verkhovna Rada, as this means ensuring proper protection for Ukrainians. Undoubtedly, this discourse sparks lively discussions in society and among health professionals.