VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta‘s health authorities have raised concerns over the growing availability of nicotine pouches, a new and unregulated product that is rapidly gaining popularity, particularly among young people.
The Superintendence of Public Health, citing the World Health Organisation, described the pouches as “highly addictive, acutely toxic, and a potential gateway to tobacco use.”
The packaging and marketing – featuring bright colours, appealing flavours, and trendy designs – are seen as deliberately targeting children and adolescents.
These pouches, which do not contain tobacco but deliver nicotine directly through the gums, bypass current tobacco regulations. Unlike snus, a banned smokeless tobacco product, nicotine pouches are legal by default, as they fall outside existing laws.
France and the Netherlands have already banned the sale of nicotine pouches, citing similar public health concerns.
The issue will be addressed in Malta’s upcoming Tobacco Control Strategy 2025–2030, which is yet to be announced.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS)
