Canadian Conservatives Propose Ending Pharmacy-Only Rule for Nicotine Pouches: A Win for Freedom of Choice

A major shift had been proposed for Canada’s nicotine market. The federal Conservative Party recently announced plans to end the restrictive pharmacy-only rule for nicotine pouches, aiming to open wider access to these smoke-free products for adult consumers. However, with the Liberals looking set to retain power in the upcoming federal election, the future of…

France vs. Sweden: How Policy Shapes Public Health in Tobacco Harm Reduction

A comprehensive new report titled “Saving Lives Like Sweden” compares the radically different public health outcomes between France and Sweden in tobacco use and harm reduction. Released by the Second Focused Study (SFS-2N) network, this study makes a powerful case for how adopting or rejecting safer nicotine alternatives directly impacts national health. A Tale of…

UAE Embraces Harm Reduction: A New Era for Nicotine Alternatives

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking a groundbreaking step in redefining tobacco control by officially endorsing the use of less harmful nicotine products as part of its public health strategy. As reported by The National, this shift reflects a global momentum toward harm reduction—prioritizing science-based alternatives that help adult smokers transition away from combustible…

Balancing Regulation, Innovation, and Access: Experts Debate the Future of Nicotine Products at EVO NXT Milan

The Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) hosted a pivotal panel at EVO NXT Milan 2025, drawing together leading voices in regulation, public affairs, science, and consumer advocacy to tackle the complex interplay between innovation and regulation in the evolving nicotine landscape. The session, moderated by Wingle Group‘s Daria Votinova, featured industry experts Peter Beckett…

Rethinking Nicotine: Southern Europe’s Market Evolution Through Monica Andrade’s Lens

Insights from the GINN Panel on Global Nicotine Industry Trends & Innovation At the Global Nicotine Industry Trends & Innovation panel during the GINN event in Milan, Monica Andrade De Orbe, GINN’s Country Manager for Spain, offered a compelling perspective on the evolving nicotine landscape in Southern Europe. With a focus on Spain, Andrade explored…

Rethinking Taxation: How Smarter Policies on Safer Nicotine Products Can Drive Public Health Gains

Governments around the world face a complex challenge: how to reduce smoking-related diseases while managing the regulation and taxation of nicotine products. A new briefing from the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) makes a compelling case for how tax policy can support—not hinder—public health goals. Why Taxation Strategy Matters Historically, tobacco taxation has…

Leaked EU Plan to Tax Nicotine Pouches Sparks Concerns

A confidential European Commission (EC) document, recently leaked, unveils a contentious proposal to impose substantial EU-wide taxes on nicotine pouches (NPs), also known as white snus. This initiative, driven by the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD), has ignited significant apprehension among harm reduction advocates, economists, and industry stakeholders. citeturn0search0 Potential Economic and…

Rethinking Tobacco Taxation and Vaping Regulations in Australia: A Call for Balanced Nicotine Policies

Australia’s approach to nicotine regulation has become a subject of intense debate, with critics arguing that its current framework has failed to distinguish between more and less harmful nicotine products. The sharp increases in tobacco taxes and a ban on consumer vaping have fueled an expansive black market, leading to criminal activity, regulatory gaps, and…