Saudi Arabia’s successful Public Health experiment Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi company Badael has rapidly scaled its harm reduction initiative using its flagship DZRT tobacco-free nicotine pouch. Since its 2023 launch, the program has helped nearly 400,000 smokers move away from combustible tobacco, with 140,000 reportedly quitting nicotine altogether. This progress contributes…
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open provides important insights into the biological effects of nicotine pouches, adding much-needed clinical evidence to an area often dominated by speculation. The findings reaffirm a central message in tobacco harm reduction: while nicotine is addictive, the health risks associated with non-combustible nicotine products are dramatically lower than…
What a night! Great conversations, new connections, and plenty of collaboration with colleagues from across the nicotine pouch sector. 🗓️ 6:30–9:30 PM, Fri 14 November 📍 Central Stockholm We can’t wait to welcome you — come along, meet the community, and be part of the conversation. Want to join us? Drop us a line at…
Nicotine has been vilified for decades, often conflated with the devastating health effects of smoking. Yet modern medical research continues to show that nicotine itself is not the cause of smoking-related cancers or cardiovascular disease. Instead, it is the combustion of tobacco, the burning process that releases thousands of toxic chemicals, that drives most smoking-related…
Momentum is building in the United Kingdom toward a coherent and proportionate framework for regulating tobacco-free nicotine pouches. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, and the surrounding debates in both Houses have positioned the UK to establish a model that balances youth protection with adult harm reduction, consistent with NHS guidance and…
GINN has formally contributed to the European Commission’s Consultation on the revision of Council Directive 2011/64/EU, which governs excise duties on tobacco and related products. We welcome the inclusion of nicotine pouches in this revision, provided they are recognized as a distinct, clearly defined category separate from traditional tobacco products. A science-based approach is essential.…
A new peer-reviewed study published in PLOS One provides the most detailed snapshot yet of who uses nicotine pouches in the United Kingdom, what products they choose, and how often they use them. Conducted by researchers from King’s College London, University College London, and Brighton & Sussex Medical School, the study sheds light on a…
A new global modeling study by Dr. Derek Yach and Dr. Delon Human projects a future where more than 100 million lives could be saved by 2060, but only if the world embraces tobacco harm reduction (THR) as a central pillar of public health. The Lives Saved Report, released in October 2025 by Global Health…
Portugal has taken a decisive step toward formalising the regulation of nicotine pouches by creating a new excise tax category for these tobacco-free, smokeless products. Beginning in 2026, nicotine pouches will be subject to a tax rate of €0.065 per gram of net weight, effectively bringing them under the country’s broader tobacco and nicotine tax…
At a time when nicotine policy too often reflects fear rather than fact, the Nicotine Policy Hub, led by Dr. Jeffrey Willlett, has emerged as a thoughtful and evidence-based voice in the debate. The Hub’s new FAQ on nicotine regulation and harm reduction addresses persistent misconceptions and calls for a principled, science-driven approach that respects…