Luxembourg has taken decisive action to regulate the sale of nicotine pouches, placing them under the same regulatory framework as tobacco products.

The Government Council announced this measure on Wednesday, aiming to curb youth access to these snus-like products.

Under the new regulations, the advertisement of nicotine pouches will be prohibited, and their distribution for free will be banned. Additionally, distance sales of these products will be prohibited, with sales restricted exclusively to adults aged 18 and above.

Previously, nicotine pouches, a popular choice among young people, had escaped regulation under anti-tobacco laws as they do not contain tobacco. However, they contain significant doses of nicotine, posing a risk of addiction.

Effective from October 2024, nicotine pouches will also be subjected to taxation, a decision previously announced by Minister of Finance Gilles Roth in March.