Blog - Articles, news and information around the nicotine sector

Nicotine pouches are more popular in the US, but will that be allowed to continue?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 8th May 2025

The US nicotine pouch market is currently the world’s largest in value and number of users, and while regulation may impact its growth rates in the future, consumers continue to be attracted to the product...

Who really pays for US tariffs on imports of Chinese alternative nicotine products?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 24th April 2025

The world is wondering what the real implications of US president Donald Trump’s tariffs will be on China, and whether and how the prices of affected products will dramatically increase for US consumers ...

Tense US-EU trade pause: are nicotine alternatives a potential future target?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 17th April 2025

Trade relations between the US and Europe have been put on a 90-day pause, marked by a tense wait as both sides assess their next moves. Could future developments potentially involve the alternatives sector? ...

Zyn toasts US ‘liberation day’, but Asian vape companies may pay more of a price

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 10th April 2025

After the White House denied the possible suspension of tariffs, the confirmation came yesterday that the president had authorised a 90-day pause for most of the countries receiving them ...

Is Poland’s move to ban flavoured pouches a growing trend in European regulation?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 3rd April 2025

With similar discussions taking place in other European countries, Poland’s plans to ban flavoured nicotine pouches raise questions about whether a wider regulatory trend is emerging ...

US youth use of nicotine pouches is up as FDA talks public health campaign success

Written by Freddie Dawson | 20th March 2025

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently highlighted the success of its Real Cost public health campaign in preventing youth e-cigarette uptake while nicotine pouch use is on the rise ...

Unchanged rate of tobacco product use in US points to need for effective measures

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 13th March 2025

While cigarette smoking in the US has dropped to its lowest level in 60 years, overall tobacco product use among adults has remained unchanged since 2017 ...

Italy is still Europe’s top heated tobacco market as shifts in the industry ramp up

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 6th March 2025

Heated tobacco is rapidly transforming nicotine consumption in Europe, and nowhere is this shift more evident than in Italy, which has led the way in the European heated tobacco market since 2015 ...

Is European Commission caution on tobacco regulation based on science?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 20th February 2025

The European Commission is taking a cautious approach to tobacco-related regulations, and key directives might not be revisited until 2026, but is it based on the whole truth? ...

Study that fails to link youth vaping with future smoking brings up research issues

Written by Barnaby Page | 13th February 2025

New research “fails to show that youth vaping causes future smoking”, announces the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Should harm-reduction advocates reach for the champagne? ...

A US FDA under Kennedy could impact innovation and nic alternatives in Europe

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 6th February 2025

The nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmentalist and vaccine sceptic, as US secretary of health could have indirect implications for the nicotine alternatives industry, even in Europe ...

Lowering nicotine in cigarettes and the disconnect in US public health policy

Written by Freddie Dawson | 23rd January 2025

In something of a disconnect in US public health policy, the proposal for a rule to limit the nicotine content for most combustible tobacco products represents a major change from years of prior decisions ...

Could 2025 be the year for heated tobacco regulation in Argentina and the EAEU?

Written by TobaccoIntelligence | 16th January 2025

TobaccoIntelligence analysts make two riskier predictions: Argentina will move to legalise and regulate nicotine alternatives, and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will take steps to regulate them in 2025 ...

Could nicotine pouches be next in the crosshairs for stricter EU regulation?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 9th January 2025

As Europe tightens its grip on disposable vapes with bans and restrictions addressing environmental and public health concerns, attention is beginning to shift to another rapidly growing nicotine product: nicotine pouches ...

Study results could keep panic at bay over arrival of HTPs and nic pouches in the US

Written by Barnaby Page | 12th December 2024

A new study sheds some welcome and thought-provoking light on US CDC data, which ought to help to forestall undue panic about the arrival of nicotine pouches and heated tobacco ...

How will Trump’s Covid-sceptic nominees approach nicotine alternatives in the US?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 5th December 2024

A degree of Covid scepticism unites Trump’s picks for health positions. Will this beget an open mind in other areas of policy and research or will sensationalist science hold sway? ...

Heated tobacco and nicotine pouches lead the global shift to safer nicotine products

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 21st November 2024

A major new report shows a pivotal shift in the global smoking landscape, highlighting the growing use of safer nicotine products, such as heated tobacco and nicotine pouches ...

A look at trends and shifts in nicotine product regulations in Southeast Asia

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 14th November 2024

Southeast Asia is experiencing significant regulatory shifts in the tobacco and nicotine product sectors, as countries in the region adopt varied stances on products like heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes ...

Can UK bill curb youth uptake and also let adults choose alternatives to smoking?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 7th November 2024

As the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill re-enters Parliament, there is a palpable sense of urgency surrounding the country’s evolving approach to vaping and tobacco alternatives ...

Big Tobacco’s secret brand-building sauce spices up heated tobacco more than vapes

Written by Freddie Dawson | 24th October 2024

November will mark ten years since Iqos was launched in Japan. And as the third-quarter results of Philip Morris International show, the last ten years have been quite the story in the product’s global brand-building...

Spain’s People’s Party challenges the country’s strict nicotine product laws

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 17th October 2024

Spain’s regulatory battle over nicotine products is heating up, but the centre-right People’s Party faces significant hurdles in pushing its proposed amendments through Parliament ...

Funding and conflicts of interest – from Big Tobacco to social media companies

Written by Freddie Dawson | 10th October 2024

A new body for judging social media complaints has been launched in the EU using money originating from Meta, the parent company of Facebook ...

What is the outlook on health policies under the incoming EU Commission?

Written by Tiziana Cauli | 1st October 2024

Some fear healthcare and food safety will not be among the main concerns of the next European Commission after the Commission president unveiled the new commissioners’ respective tasks ...

The latest revision of the EU TPD – what’s in it for alternative nicotine products?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 19th September 2024

There is still little concrete information on what the EU will do in its next revision of the Tobacco Products Directive, though the primary focus will likely be emerging tobacco products ...

Give the people what they want in heated products – as long as that’s not banned

Written by Freddie Dawson | 12th September 2024

Brands that find a way to successfully deliver flavour while appealing to diversifying consumer desires will be best poised for success in a maturing heated tobacco market ...

Is the Czech government out of sync with its own addiction-prevention strategy?

Written by Tiziana Cauli | 5th September 2024

Just over a year after the Czech government unveiled a new, ambitious action plan to fight addictions, doubts are being raised over the government’s alignment with its own declared war on addictions ...

Nic pouches in Latin America: market opportunities, regulatory challenges

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 22nd August 2024

As the global nicotine pouch market continues to expand, Latin America is emerging as a key region of interest, with the recent surge in vaping and nicotine pouch popularity creating dynamic opportunities for market players...

Nicotine and flavour delivery innovations driving nicotine pouch evolution globally

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 15th August 2024

From innovative flavour formulations to extended-release mechanisms and eco-friendly packaging, the globally expanding nicotine pouch industry is undergoing a transformative phase ...

Big Tobacco pleased about growth but mum on impact from regulatory changes

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 8th August 2024

All Big Tobacco companies reported growth in their smoke-free segments, reflecting a trend towards diversification from traditional cigarettes, though none have addressed the regulatory environment and its potential impact on future earnings ...

With the US governorship race underway, how do candidates view nic alternatives?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 25th July 2024

Though debate about US president Joe Biden’s potential replacement dominates headlines on the November elections, down-ballot races in many states may impact the future of nicotine alternatives in the country ...

Switzerland finds smoking down, use of alternatives up in 30-year survey results

Written by Freddie Dawson | 18th July 2024

Swiss authorities have released results of a 30-year study on smoking and tobacco use in the country, tracking answers to a health survey conducted from 1992 to 2022 ...

EC smoke-free recommendation revision (probably) arriving this year after delays

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 11th July 2024

Previous delays and European health commissioner describing the work as “particularly challenging” could indicate that the European Commission’s proposal for revising its smoke-free environment recommendation is at risk of further postponement ...

Ten lessons learned over a decade of covering the novel nicotine industry

Written by Barnaby Page | 4th July 2024

In this part of a series of articles celebrating the tenth anniversary of Tamarind Intelligence, our editorial director shares ten things he’s learned about the sector in the last ten years ...

Lessons learned from the thought-provoking Global Forum on Nicotine

Written by Barnaby Page | 21st June 2024

The Global Forum on Nicotine was in Warsaw again last week, and once again proved to be one of the most thought-provoking events on the tobacco harm reduction calendar ...

With a right-leaning EU Parliament, what is the future of novel tobacco products?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 13th June 2024

The result of the latest European Union elections is a clear twist to the right, signalling a potential shift towards a more business-friendly and deregulated environment for the vaping and heated tobacco industries ...

Can a WHO witch hunt stop the next generation from getting hooked?

Written by Tiziana Cauli | 6th June 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) chose to dedicate this year’s World No Tobacco Day to exposing practices used by the tobacco industry to “hook the next generation” into becoming its customers for life ...

Ireland looking to have 21 be the new 18 when it comes to legal age for tobacco use

Written by Freddie Dawson | 23rd May 2024

Ireland will look to raise the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21, affecting heated tobacco products but not (yet) nioctine pouches or vapour products ...

Compromise is key for the future of novel products and harm reduction in Europe

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 16th May 2024

The next European Parliament may feature a new mix of members who are likely to change Europe’s conservative stance on novel products and include harm-reduction strategies as part of the debate ...

With another White House menthol ban delay, is it just politics in an election year?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 9th May 2024

The US government has once again dropped its plans to issue an immediate ban on menthol cigarettes, despite efforts from numerous civil rights organisations and medical associations urging for a ban to protect targeted communities...

Balancing between adult harm reduction and youth addiction – the debate goes on

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 2nd May 2024

The debate over the approach healthcare providers should take when it comes to suggesting alternative products to help adult patients quit smoking has been ongoing for quite some time, but it’s still controversial ...

Survey results on nicotine usage rates among young Finns beg further digging

Written by Freddie Dawson | 18th April 2024

Use of alternative nicotine products among younger consumers in Finland is on the rise, but their tobacco use has stayed the same, a survey by the Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention recently found ...

Spain’s long-overdue anti-smoking plan is finally approved but not yet in force

Written by Tiziana Cauli | 11th April 2024

Three years after the expected date, the Spanish government has finally approved the country’s new anti-smoking plan, which will now need to be implemented through different laws across the country ...

PMI could be looking to help keep Austin weird and well-stocked in heated tobacco

Written by Freddie Dawson | 4th April 2024

The city of Austin, in Texas, will be where Philip Morris International (PMI) first tests its Iqos 3 in the US, with testing set to go ahead within the next three months ...

Where will tax hikes and court rulings take the alternative tobacco market?

Written by Freddie Dawson | 21st March 2024

A recent CJEU ruling confirmed it was OK for Germany to increase duties on heated tobacco sticks to the equivalent of 80% of the tax applied to conventional cigarettes on public health grounds ...

No clear guidance on pouch marketing in Europe, so advertisers should be cautious

Written by Freddie Dawson | 14th March 2024

Rules on how companies can market nicotine pouches in Europe are no clearer, but criticisms of practices have started and are only going to increase as what can and cannot be done in major European...

Signing a petition for change? Don’t expect that to affect UK tobacco policy

Written by Freddie Dawson | 7th March 2024

It looks like nicotine pouches are gearing up to be the latest battleground for tobacco alternatives, with opposition to pouches springing up in the UK and the US ...

Europe’s respiratory specialists don’t support harm reduction: is this news?

Written by Tiziana Cauli | 22nd February 2024

No smoking and no nicotine consumption at all is better for your health than quitting cigarettes without quitting nicotine, says the European Respiratory Society, stating the obvious ...

Will there be an upcoming ‘Zynsurrection’ in the US, or is it much ado about nothing?

Written by Antonia Di Lorenzo | 15th February 2024

With calls for a whole “Zynsurrection” in support of Zyn nicotine pouches, opposition to the rise of Zyn could end up being nothing more than a lot of noise ...

Which way should you turn to follow the EU tobacco policy revision process?

Written by Tiziana Cauli | 8th February 2024

European authorities seem unsure on the timeline for the next step in the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) review and laissez-faire about keeping anyone up to date on developments for it ...

WHO reports drop in tobacco use despite industry ‘interference’ in achieving goals

Written by Freddie Dawson | 25th January 2024

Tobacco use continues to reduce globally, according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2030 ...

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