Youth “addiction” to nicotine pouches and other smoke-free nicotine products is increasingly invoked as a political shorthand, often without reference to how addiction is actually defined in modern clinical science. This matters, because the DSM-5 framework, the global reference standard for diagnosing substance-related disorders, does not define addiction by frequency of use alone, nor does…
Expectations around the European Union’s next revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD3) have continued to shift, but a clearer picture is now emerging. Based on Commission planning documents, specialised monitoring services, and recent political signals, the most realistic scenario is that a formal Commission proposal will arrive in 2026, with any new regulatory obligations…
As nicotine pouches gain visibility in the United States and other markets, debate around their public-health role has intensified. Much of this discussion has been driven by concern over youth uptake and regulatory uncertainty. However, recent reporting in JAMA highlights a more nuanced picture, one in which several public-health experts recognise that nicotine pouches differ…
As nicotine pouch use expands globally, regulatory debate is increasingly framed as a choice between bans and permissive access. That framing is misleading. Evidence now points toward a more effective third path: risk-proportionate regulation that shapes product design to reduce harm while preserving adult access. Nicotine pouches are neither risk-free nor uniform. Their public-health impact…
Why excise policy matters for harm reduction in Europe Europe’s nicotine policy framework is entering a critical phase. Recent reporting on draft revisions to the EU Tobacco Excise Directive suggests that forthcoming tax proposals could significantly reshape the market for nicotine pouches, heated tobacco products, and other smoke-free alternatives. While excise taxation is a legitimate…
Recent media coverage of a report examining nicotine’s effects on the heart and blood vessels has renewed debate about cardiovascular risk and nicotine regulation. In response, experts contributing to the UK Science Media Centre (SMC) have provided important clarification that adds nuance often missing from public discussion. Their commentary reinforces a central principle in tobacco…
As nicotine markets continue to evolve, regulators are increasingly challenged to design policies that protect young people while also reflecting the growing body of evidence on relative risk among nicotine products. A new peer-reviewed study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research adds important insight into how non-combustible nicotine products are used and perceived, and what…
Across many jurisdictions, governments have become structurally dependent on cigarette taxation as a stable source of public revenue. This dependence creates powerful fiscal and political incentives that can slow or complicate the transition away from combustible tobacco, even as public-health strategies increasingly emphasise harm reduction. In this environment, it is not coincidental that the companies…
Nicotine does have measurable effects on the cardiovascular system. That point is not in dispute. However, treating all nicotine products as equally harmful, regardless of whether they are smoked or smoke-free, is not supported by the balance of current evidence and risks undermining smoking cessation and broader public-health objectives. Recent commentary has renewed attention on…
Awareness and use of oral nicotine pouches are increasing across multiple countries, according to new peer-reviewed research published in BMJ Public Health. While this growth reflects changing nicotine markets and consumer behaviour, the findings also reveal a persistent challenge: greater awareness has not been matched by clear public understanding of relative health risk. This gap…